Introduction
The EMG rotation consists of performing outpatient and occasionally inpatient NCS/EMG studies along with rotating through the neuromuscular clinic, MDA multi-disciplinary clinic and ALS multi-disciplinary clinic. The fellow also participates in performing needle muscle biopsies and skin punch biopsies along with attendance at the weekly nerve and muscle lab conference where the focus is on interpretation of the nerve, muscle and skin biopsies. The fellow works closely with the neuromuscular attendings as well as other electromyographers in the EMG lab and neuropathologists in the nerve and muscle pathology lab to learn the fundamental concepts of the neuromuscular exam, electrodiagnostic testing and neuromuscular pathology.
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Goals
- To care for patients with neuromuscular illness at a high-level, use appropriate diagnostic modalities include neurophysiology and provide evidence-based treatment.
- To understand the neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neuromuscular disorders.
- Communicate with patients, allied staff, and referring providers with empathy, professionalism, and by effective transfer of knowledge.
- The fellow will be professional in verbal communications and in timely reporting of neurophysiology studies and clinic notes.
- The fellow recognizes that he/she is part of a treatment team and participates within the treatment group effectively. The treatment groups including neurology/neurocritical care, EMG technologists, PT/OT, and social work.
- The fellow will be involved in improving the quality of the care of neuromuscular through QI projects, scholarly activities, and/or participation in weekly multi-disciplinary clinics.
Objectives and Evaluation Matrix
EMG Rotation ObjectivesUpon completion of the curriculum, fellows will . . . |
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| # | Description | Milestones |
| 1 | Perform and interpret basic nerve conduction studies (NCS) | PC2, PC4, MK1 |
| 2 | Perform and interpret advanced NCS (e.g., blink reflexes, phrenic nerve stimulation) | PC2, PC4, MK1, MK2 |
| 3 | Perform and interpret necessary studies to evaluate disorders of neuromuscular transmission | PC1, PC2, PC3, MK1, MK3 |
| 4 | Perform and interpret basic needle EMG | PC1, PC2, PC3, MK1, MK3 |
| 5 | Perform and interpret advanced needle EMG (e.g. Laryngeal, SFEMG) | PC2, PC5, MK1, MK2 |
| 6 | Demonstrate high level of professionalism when performing electrodiagnostic studies | PR1, PR2, IC1 |
| Additional Milestones |
| PC7, PC9, SP4, PL1, PL2, PR1, PR2, PR3, IC2, IC3, IC4, IC5 |
Schedule
| EMG | Name of shift/clinic/conf. |
| Monday – AM | VA EMG Clinic |
| Monday – PM | EMG |
| Tuesday – AM | EMG |
| Tuesday – PM | EMG |
| Wednesday – AM | EMG Clinic |
| Wednesday – PM | EMG Clinic |
| Thursday – AM | EMG |
| Thursday – PM | VA EMG Clinic |
| Friday – AM | EMG Clinic / Specialty Clinic / UH Epilepsy Clinic |
| Friday – PM | EMG Clinic / Specialty Clinic / UH Epilepsy Clinic |
Conferences
Attend per conference requirements. Participate in weekly EMG book club.
Work Hours
Standard work hours
Suggested References
Preston, D. C., & Shapiro, B. E. (2020). Electromyography and neuromuscular disorders: Clinical-electrophysiologic-ultrasound correlations (4th ed.). Elsevier
Rubin, Devon I., author. (2016). Clinical neurophysiology. New York, New York: Oxford University Press.
Katirji B. (2026). Electromyography in Clinical Practice: A Case-Based Learning Approach (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Additional books and journal articles are available in the fellowship Box folder.
Latest Revision: 10/23/2026, Smitha Holla, MD
