Faculty supervisors:
- Dr. Alyssa Bautista and rotating faculty
PGY-1 Rotation
Description:
The General Neurology Inpatient (GenNeu) receives patients from the emergency room, the neuro-critical care unit, Columbia University neurology faculty practices, and outside hospitals. Junior residents are carefully supervised by the attending faculty and senior residents (PGY-3 or PGY4). The educational experience features numerous conferences, including, but not limited to, Chief of Service and Neuroradiology. Mastering the care of these patients on the floors, including an awareness of common neurological conditions and their related complications, as well as indications for hospital admission, will allow the PGY-1 resident to effectively perform consultations and act as supervising residents in the PGY-3 and PGY-4 years.
Evaluation:
Performance evaluations are completed by faculty supervisors by using the Medhub system and by the medical students, nurse practitioners, and social workers. Verbal feedback is required to be given to residents at the mid-point and end of the rotation.
Specific Objectives:
Patient Care
To develop competence in obtaining the neurological history, performing the neurological examination, and synthesizing information, and proposing a differential diagnosis.
To develop skill in performing the lumbar puncture.
To admit patients to the Merritt Service and become the primary neurologist for the patients and families under their care.
To evaluate and manage the medical complications of neurological disease, under the supervision of senior residents and attending neurologists, and with consultation from medical and surgical specialists.
Medical Knowledge
To recognize the symptoms and signs of common neurological conditions, including neurological emergencies.
To become familiar with clinical neuroanatomy, and to use this knowledge as a basis for clinical reasoning.
To develop skill at making a well-informed synthesis of neurological data as part of clinical problem-solving
To acquire knowledge of the pathophysiology and epidemiology of common neurological problems.
To learn the indications for appropriate neuro-diagnostic tests, including lumbar puncture, neuro-physiological testing, radiological testing, and brain biopsy. Residents will also begin to consider the costs associated with these diagnostic tests as an introduction to the practice of cost-conscious medicine.
Interpersonal Skills and Communication
To interact and communicate effectively and compassionately with patients and family members in a professional, ethical and culturally sensitive manner.
To develop skill in communicating with patients who have neurological impairment.
To develop and improve interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, necessary to (i) transmit an accurate neurological history and exam to other physicians, (ii) present cases on rounds and in conferences, and (iii) to provide competent counseling to patients and families.
Professionalism
To demonstrate the professional habits of punctuality, responsibility, honesty, integrity, compassion, and cultural sensitivity in participating as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team.
To show appropriate respect for and cultural sensitivity to patients, their families, and staff.
To demonstrate an appreciation for end-of-life care and issues regarding provision or withholding of care
To be compliant with ethical and legal standards, work hour guidelines and the requirements of patient confidentiality.
Systems-Based Practice
To demonstrate the ability to function on a multidisciplinary health care team that interacts with many other medical services.
To develop awareness of hospital protocols, practice guidelines and other resources that may enhance patient care.
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
To begin to use the medical literature, including electronic databases and practice guidelines, in the diagnosis and management of neurological disease.
To become familiar with hospital information systems in the evaluation and treatment of neurological patients.
PGY-3 and PGY-4 Rotation
Description:
Two senior residents rotate on the GenNeu rotation during their PGY-3 and PGY-4 years of training where they serve as team leaders under the supervision of the attending faculty. The educational experience includes numerous conferences, including but not limited to, Chief of Service and Neuroradiology. t. Residents will be expected during this rotation to assume greater degrees of autonomy and medical decision making, which will serve as an additional milestone in the transition to independent practice of neurology. Senior residents will also have the opportunity to improve their teaching skills through providing weekly didactic sessions for junior residents and medical students.
Evaluation:
Performance evaluations are completed by faculty supervisors by using the Medhub system and by the medical students. Verbal feedback is required to be given to residents at the mid-point and end of the rotation.
Specific Objectives:
Patient Care
To supervise the PGY-1 residents and medical students in the provision of advanced, comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to patients with acute and chronic neurological conditions, including neurological emergencies.
To perform complete, problem-oriented neurological histories and examinations in patients with neurological disease.
To become familiar with the interventional and neurosurgical options in the treatment of neurological conditions.
To participate fully in the discharge planning for patients with neurological disease, including attending daily rounds with the social workers, nurse practitioners and the chief of inpatient services.
Medical Knowledge
To recognize the symptoms and signs of neurological disorders.
To expand and consolidate knowledge of clinical neuroanatomy and become adept at the neuroanatomical localization of neurological deficits.
To become adept at recognizing abnormalities on neuro-radiological and neuro-physiological testing.
Interpersonal Skills and Communication
To interact and communicate effectively and compassionately with neurological patients and their family members in a professional, ethical and culturally-sensitive manner.
To enhance communication abilities with patients who have aphasia and other cognitive impairments.
To educate patients and their families regarding recovery from neurological illness, prognosis, quality of life, and long-term complication prevention and care.
Professionalism
To demonstrate leadership in supervising, educating and mentoring junior neurological residents and medical student in the care of neurological patients.
In caring for patients with neurological illness and interacting with members of the health care team, senior residents will demonstrate the many attributes of professionalism, including concern and respect for others, honesty and integrity, confidentiality, sensitivity to ethical issues, and awareness of safety.
To develop leadership skills needed for managing a team of health care providers, including time management, prioritization of tasks, allocation of personnel and hospital resources, and efficient communication.
To show appropriate respect for and cultural sensitivity to patients and their families
To become fully knowledgeable regarding end-of-life care, and palliative and hospice care for patients with neurological disease.
To be compliant with ethical and legal standards, work hour guidelines and the requirements of patient confidentiality.
Systems-Based Practice
To demonstrate leadership and supervisory abilities in managing a team of junior residents and medical students that interacts with many other disciplines and services, both in-hospital and community-based resources, in the care of neurological patients.
To become adept at managing the discharge planning for patients with neurological conditions, including recommendations for in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation, visiting nursing services, and long-term follow-up.
Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
To apply the neurological literature to the care of patients with neurological disease. Senior residents will continue to master considerations of how diagnostic testing will change management of the patient with neurological disease, with a consideration of the practice of cost-conscious medicine.
To participate in Morbidity & Mortality conference by providing census data for the Merritt Neurology Service and leading a formal discussion of outcomes, complications, and protocols, using the medical literature and practice guidelines to improve care.
Updated 7/21/25