Header Child Neurology

Child Neurology Residency

Neuropathology Rotation

Patient Care

Goals

Develop understanding of the pathologic basis of neurologic diseases and the clinical manifestations of disease, as well as the potential mechanisms of treatment.

Objectives

Residents will:

  1. Gain basic skills in neuropathology.
  2. Learn how to relate pathology results to the clinical diagnosis and proper management of patients with all manner of neurologic disease.
  3. Observe at least one brain extraction from a corpse.
  4. Participate in brain cuttings.
  5. Participate in surgical case evaluations with the attending neuropathologist.

Medical knowledge

Goals

  1. Become familiar with the gross and microscopic pathologic findings of normal anatomy as well as neurologic diseases.
  2. Become familiar with modern diagnostic pathology techniques (special stains, studies, etc.).

Objectives

Residents will:

  1. Learn to verbally describe and visually distinguish major neoplasms of the CNS and PNS including glial neoplasms (all grades of astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas), neuroectodermal tumors, ependymal tumors, meningiomas, neuronal tumors and nerve sheath tumors.
  2. Learn to visually identify normal CNS, PNS and muscle slides.
  3. Complete all Clinical Pathologic Cases (CPCs).
  4. Complete at least half of the museum cases.
  5. Evaluate pathologic slides of major neurodegenerative conditions in children and adults (storage disorders, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, Alzheimer’s Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease).

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Goals

Residents will learn to communicate rapidly and efficiently with other team members

Objectives

      Residents will:

  1. Present neuropathological results to faculty succinctly and completely.
  2. Learn to create a concise neuropathological report.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

Goals

  1. Communicate succinctly and clearly with other healthcare professionals, with a proper respect for the principles of HIPAA regulations.
  2. Maintain comprehensive, timely, effective and legible medical records.

Objectives

Residents will:

Be responsible for tracking the number and diagnoses of pathology cases seen during this rotation. Cases must be entered into the web-based Case Log. These data will also be used to ensure that an adequate educational experience is obtained. These data will be reviewed with the program director during 6-month self-evaluation to direct further study.

Professionalism

Goals

Demonstrate continuing commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to diversity.

Objectives

Residents will:

  1. Promptly attend case conferences.
  2. Dress in appropriate attire unique to the pathological suite and present himself or herself in a professional manner at all times.
  3. Document duty hours, and notify the Program Director immediately if there are any situations that could put the resident in violation of work hours’ restrictions.

Systems-Based Practice

Goals

Understand how to benefit from Neuropathology services in the context of the health care system.

Objectives

Residents will learn the systems issues unique to ordering, the performance of, and reporting results of pathologic tests.