Overall Objectives of the Program

By the end of the fellowship, fellows should be able to:

Patient Care and Procedural Skills

1. Diagnose, evaluate, and manage patients with epilepsy and seizures--including optimal medical management and surgical treatment.
2. Competently perform interviews and examinations of patients with epilepsy and seizures.
3. Generate the differential diagnosis of the various clinical presentations of epilepsy and seizures.
4. Determine and interpret appropriate medical and surgical investigations including laboratory tests, pathology, radiologic studies, and neurophysiological studies for diagnosis and treatment of patients with epilepsy and seizures.
5. Manage patients with epilepsy and seizures in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.
6. Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and coordinate patient care.

Medical Knowledge

• Demonstrate competence in the knowledge of:
  1. Basic science of epilepsy and seizures.
  2. The genetics of epilepsy and the implications of genetics for diagnosis, treatment, and counseling of patients with epilepsy and seizures.
  3. The epidemiology of epilepsy and seizures and apply this to patient care.
  4. Neuroimaging and diagnostic modalities used in the evaluation and treatment of patients with epilepsy and seizures.
  5. The neuropsychological impact of epilepsy and seizures and the neuropsychological studies used to evaluate patients with epilepsy and seizures.
  6. Pharmacologic treatment of epilepsy and seizures.
  7. Non-pharmacologic treatments of epilepsy and seizures.
  8. The multiple co-morbidities associated with epilepsy and seizures.
  9. The epileptiform (interictal and ictal) patterns across the lifespan.
  10. The prognosis of epilepsy and seizures.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

1. Write timely and pertinent notes that are problem-focused.
2. Communicate and collaborate effectively with all members of the  health care team, including surgeons, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, radiologists, nursing staff, and social workers.
3. Develop and sustain meaningful relationships with patients and their families.
4. Communicate effectively with patients, families and colleagues.
5. Effectively educate and counsel patients, families and colleagues.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

1. Analyze individual practice patterns in a systematic manner and use quality improvement methods to improve practice.
2. Compare personal practice patterns to those studied in larger populations.
3. Locate, critically assess, and assimilate scientific literature appropriate to the practice of treatment of epilepsy and seizures.
4. Apply knowledge of study design and statistics when reading the literature and during the preparation of a research project.
5. Demonstrate self-motivation to acquire knowledge and skills.
6. Seek out feedback and incorporate it into self-improvement plans.

Professionalism

1. Demonstrate regard and respect for opinions and skills of colleagues.
2. Demonstrate respect in work with all members of the health care team.
3. Demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity in interactions with patients and their families.
4. Display commitment to ethical principles pertaining to the provision or withholding of care, patient confidentiality, informed consent, and business practices.
5. Demonstrate and apply sensitivity to patient culture, gender, age, preference, and disabilities.
6. Acknowledge medical errors and work to minimize them.
7. Demonstrate commitment to on-going professional development.

Systems-Based Practice

1. Demonstrate ability to adapt to change.
2. Understand how individual practices affect other health care professionals, organizations, and society.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of different types of medical practice and delivery systems.
4. Advocate for high quality care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities.
5. Use systematic approaches to reduce medical errors.
6. Participate in developing ways to improve systems of practice and health management.
7. Demonstrate sensitivity to the costs of clinical care for patients and take steps to minimize costs without compromising quality.