Training Activities

Experiential training in the neuropsychological examination of patients with actual or suspected neurological disorders and the writing of consultative reports will be provided. Didactic training in the neurosciences and clinical neurology are also available and will be tailored to the educational needs of the individual resident.

Clinical Neuropsychology Consultation Training
The core of training consists of using a variety of cognitive, sensorimotor, and psychological tests to evaluate patients with neurologic disorders referred from medical professionals concerned with their accurate diagnosis and care. The resident will learn to utilize a broad array of neuropsychological examination procedures which evaluate a wide spectrum of behaviors such as memory, attention, intelligence, speech and language, visuoperception, spatial thinking, executive functions, sensorimotor abilities, and personality or mood.

Evaluations will be performed on patients from the neurological, surgical, general medical, and psychiatric services. Residents will routinely be exposed to patients with epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders, tumors, stroke, head injuries, movement disorders, meningitis, encephalitis, developmental disorders, and psychiatric conditions. The behavioral presentation and pathophysiology of the major neurobehavioral syndromes (e.g., dementia, aphasia, frontal lobe syndromes, disorder of the right hemisphere, apraxia, agnosias) will be covered. Detailed training will also be given in writing consultative reports tailored to the referral source. Specialty training and experience in the role of neuropsychologist in a comprehensive epilepsy surgery program is available for interested residents. Competence in and understanding of ethical practice and appreciation of cultural and individual differences and diversity are assured by exposure to these issues throughout the clinical experience.

Clinical Service Requirements
Although there are no absolute requirements, the typical resident performs an average of three neuropsychological assessments each week. This expectation varies over the course of the postdoctoral fellowship depending upon the residents other commitments, such as attending formal classes or scientific meetings. As an example, residents who attend the first year medical school neuroscience course (Brain and Behavior) may not evaluate any patients during the course.

Research Requirements
Clinical research training will be initially offered through collaboration on one of several ongoing research projects in the Neuropsychology Service. During the second fellowship year, the resident is encouraged to conduct an independent research investigation in cooperation with faculty, compose an abstract for presentation at a national scientific meeting, and write a manuscript suitable for publication.

Didactic Training
Since clinical neuropsychologists are primarily concerned with the behavioral consequences of cerebral diseases, a thorough knowledge of neuroscience and clinical neurology is a prerequisite for the independent practice of clinical neuropsychology. To acquire this body of knowledge, a series of specific formal educational activities will be attended by most residents. These are as follows:

1. Brain and Behavior. This 15 credit hour course is offered as part of the regular medical school curriculum (1st year) and covers neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, psychiatry, and clinical neurology. It is conducted during the spring semester and consists of 20 hours of lecture and 4 hours of laboratory work each week. Passing grades on the midterm and final examination are expected.
2. Neurology 5000. This course examines the clinical manifestations of neurological diseases for 3rd and 4th year medical students. It is taught by the neurology and neurosurgery faculty each weekday morning for two hours over the course of one-month.
3. Neurology's Neuroanatomy Course. This course is conducted for all neurology residents once each year and lasts approximately 6 months. It meets from 7a.m. to 8a.m. daily and uses Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases by Hal Blumenfeld as its textbook.
4. Neurology Morning Report. Following the month long Neurology 5000 course, the resident will be exposed to faculty lectures that are tied to specific hospitalized neurologic cases. These lectures are usually attended by neuropsychology residents for one-month each year.
5. Neurology Grand Rounds. Attendance at neurology rounds are expected on a regular basis and at psychiatry grand rounds on an as needed basis. Flexibility regarding attendance is granted depending upon the resident's interest and educational needs.

In addition to the formal coursework and lectures listed above, there are a variety of educational conferences available to neuropsychology residents that may be attended depending upon educational need and preference.

There are Neuroscience Seminars offered at least twice per month sponsored by the Brain Discovery Institute or the Neuroscience Ph.D. program through the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics. Neuropsychology residents are able to attend these seminars on an "as needed" basis as their interests and educational needs dictate.

Neurology Conferences

General
Morning Report:	Monday, Tuesday, Thursday	7:30-8:00am	Neuro Library
	Friday	8:00-8:30am	Neuro Library
Grand Rounds:	Thursday	8:00-9:00am	3 West Amphitheatre
Neuroradiology:	Wednesday	7:30-8:00am	Neuro Library
Neuroanatomy:	Friday (Aug to Nov)	7:00-8:00am	3 West Amphitheatre
Resident Lecture:	Monday	noon-1:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
	Friday	7:00-8:00am	3 West Amphitheatre
M&M Conference:	Thursday (wk 2)	12:00-1:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
Journal Club:	Wednesday (last wk)	5:00-6:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
Professor Rounds:	Thursday	11:00am-12:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
Visiting Professors:	Thursday	TBA	TBA
Rounds
Child Neurology:	Tuesday	1:00-2:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
Neuropathology:	2nd Friday	10:00-11:00pm	Pathology Lab
Brain Cutting:	Wednesday	7:00-8:00am	Pathology Lab
Subspecialty
Stroke:	Thursday (week 4)	12:00-1:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
Neuromuscular:	Tuesday (week 1)	12:00-1:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
Epilepsy:	Thursday (week 1)	12:00-1:00pm	3 West Amphitheatre
*All conferences are on a weekly basis, except those specified.

Experiential Training (excluding neuropsychological training)
Participation in neurology bed rounds, neurosurgical procedures involving brain, and attendance at neuropathology (brain cutting) conference is also available for those residents who have not already had such experiences. Other seminars and workshops of interest (in basic neurosciences, biostatistics, clinical psychology, and psychiatry) also are regularly available to residents throughout the MCG campus as their schedule allows.

Supervision
Supervision will be conducted a minimum of two hours each week with the adult neuropsychologist on a one-to-one basis. Supervision may be arranged on an as needed basis with the pediatric neuropsychologist. Supervision initially consists of the development of an educational plan including arranging formal coursework, weekly seminars, and assigned readings. After the resident is adequately trained in test administration and is ready to begin evaluating patients, the majority of supervision is taken up with assessment, diagnostic, treatment, and consultation issues. As the resident becomes more proficient in neuropsychological assessment and consultation, supervision will be concerned with broader issues concerning research plans, ethical practice, and professional development in addition to ongoing clinical cases.

Evaluation Procedures
Neuropsychology residents are evaluated by their primary supervision once every six months to monitor progress of the resident's education and training goals. Resident evaluations are reviewed during a face-to-face meeting with the resident and educational development plans are monitored and revised as necessary. The postdoctoral fellowship program in clinical neuropsychology and the resident's primary supervision are evaluated by the resident once a year during the spring. The fellowship program has several competency based examinations available for the resident to take in order to provide useful feedback about the resident's relative strengths and weaknesses across the major content areas important for neuropsychologists.

Grievance Procedures
The resident's faculty advisor and the Department of Neurology's Residency Director are available to advise/assist the resident with any grievance they may have. The Department of Neurology follows institutional policies, which require multilevel hearings, due process, timely notice and accurate records if disciplinary action is required. Residents may appeal any decision through the Residency Director. The response will be promptly discussed with the resident.