Description

You spend the first one or two weeks in the outpatient clinic familiarizing yourself with the neurological examination as described in the book, Clinical Examinations in Neurology, prepared by members of the Mayo Clinic Department of Neurology. You see several patients daily, working with one consultant (attending). After you and the consultant have each examined the patient, the history and the physical findings are discussed, along with diagnostic possibilities, and necessary laboratory studies.

The remaining weeks are spent on an inpatient neurologic service at  Saint Marys Campus or Methodist Campus of Mayo Clinic Hospital. You are expected to make daily rounds with the consultant and residents on the service and to present any patients you have seen. You are expected to follow the patients throughout their hospital stay.

You have the option to take overnight call, when many admissions typically occur. Evenings are otherwise free for independent study. You are encouraged to attend the numerous neurologic teaching sessions scheduled throughout the week. These include didactic sessions with Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine core clerkship students as well as Neurology Department clinical conferences, EMG and EEG seminars, and lectures in basic neurology for the residents. Special interests or requests may be met, if feasible.

Specific goals

1. Refine skills in conducting, recording, and interpreting the neurologic examination.
2. Increase your ability to define the temporal profile of the neurologic history and synthesize the history and examination into a differential diagnosis.
3. Select the appropriate laboratory tests to establish the specific neurologic diagnosis.
4. Learn the uses and limitations of EEG, EMG, and neuroradiologic and neuro-ophthalmologic diagnostic tests.
5. Increase knowledge of neurologic therapeutics and their potential risks.
6. Gain experience in performing lumbar punctures.
7. Evaluate and manage common and emergent neurologic disorders; and understand when such problems require the opinion of a neurologist.

Activity outline

Method of evaluation

Consultants and senior residents who work with students provide written performance evaluations.

Per Mayo Clinic institutional policy, faculty and residents/fellows will not complete any outside evaluations. You will be provided with an electronic performance evaluation via Mayo Clinic’s MedHub portal. A final summative evaluation will be sent to you and your school official upon completion of your clerkship.