University of Texas Southwestern--Austin Neurology Program Program Overview

The UT Southwestern, Austin Neurology Residency Program offers an ACGME-accredited, advanced (3 year) training program in adult neurology. As affiliates of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), we welcomed our first PGY-2 residents in 2007. In 2009, we were pleased when UT Southwestern Medical Center became our sponsoring institution.

We are proud of the variety and depth of educational opportunities available to our residents. Our training hospitals include the only Adult and Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Centers in Central Texas, separate adult and pediatric epilepsy monitoring units, which were recently recognized as "Level 4" epilepsy centers by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), and two primary stroke centers. Our residents also have access to the latest in clinical neuroimaging, as well as research opportunities on a 3.0T MRI through partnerships with the University of Texas at Austin.

Our faculty trained at leading medical institutions around the country, and the majority completed fellowships and/or are certified in their particular subspecialties. We are fortunate to be in a period of active faculty recruitment, and anticipate offering significantly broader subspecialty and research experiences by the time graduating students begin their training with us in July 2012. Through partnerships with community physicians and other UT Southwestern, Austin programs, we are able to offer educational opportunities not only in numerous neurological subspecialties (including sleep & MS), but also in neuropathology, interventional neuroradiology, psychiatry, and neurosurgery.

As a relatively young program, our residents have had significant input into the development of their curriculum. For example, based largely on resident input, we revised the didactic lecture series, implemented a night-float system which significantly reduces the call burden while working on other rotations, and developed rotations in neuroradiology and critical care neurology. We expect ongoing positive dialogue to further refine our rotations to achieve an optimal balance of service and education.

After completing an adult neurology residency in Austin, we expect our residents to be prepared for a variety of opportunities, including private practice, academics, or furthering their education by entering into a fellowship program.

Mission

The UT Southwestern -  Austin Neurology Residency Program at the Seton Brain & Spine Institute is designed to provide its residents a progressive educational experience with increasing patient care and supervisory responsibilities over a three-year training period. The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare neurology residents to become proficient general neurologists who are able to provide comprehensive and coordinated healthcare which encompasses the physical, emotional, environmental and social health of adult patients. Neurology residents will also develop sufficient familiarity with the various subspecialties to participate as effective and productive team members in the care of chronic and complex neurologic conditions.

Program Goals

The neurology residency program strives to provide a graduate medical education environment with the highest levels of integrity, compassion and intellectual stimulation in order to:

• Develop the many personal attributes necessary for becoming an effective physician, including honesty, compassion, reliability, and effective communication skills;
• Ensure that resident physicians acquire the medical knowledge and learn the skills necessary to provide effective and appropriate patient care, and develop the habit of thoughtfully and diligently applying their knowledge and skills, so that by graduation they are ready for independent practice as general neurologists;
• Provide resident physicians with an understanding of the healthcare system and the skills for system-based practice, specifically how to optimally utilize the system resources for the care of their patients;
• Educate residents in the principles of evidence-based medicine and quality assurance so they cultivate a habit of practice-based learning and improvement;
• Enable the trainees to become board-certified in neurology; and
• Promote academic inquisitiveness, leading to a lifelong interest in understanding the nervous system and treating neurologic disorders.

Program Objectives

Residents are expected to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease and end-of-life care.

• Gather accurate, essential information from all sources, including medical interviews, physical examinations, medical records and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures.
• Make informed recommendations about preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic options and interventions that are based on clinical judgment, scientific evidence, and patient preference.
• Develop, negotiate and implement effective patient management plans and integration of patient care.
• Perform competently the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures considered essential to the practice of neurology.
• Inform patient and family of end-of-life concerns, issues, and rights. Work with ancillary services to help with these issues.

Residents are expected to demonstrate medical knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social sciences, and the application of their knowledge to patient care and the education of others.

• Apply an open-minded and analytical approach to acquiring new knowledge.
• Access and critically evaluate current medical information and scientific evidence.
• Develop clinically applicable knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences that underlie the practice of neurology.
• Apply this knowledge to clinical problem-solving, clinical decision-making, and critical thinking in patient care.

Residents are expected to demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, and understanding and sensitivity to diversity and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession, and society (professionalism).

• Demonstrate respect, compassion, integrity, and altruism in relationships with patients’ families and colleagues.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the gender, age, culture, religion, sexual preference, socioeconomic status, beliefs, behaviors and disabilities of patients and professional colleagues.
• Recognize and identify deficiencies in peer performance.
• Remain professional in appearance and behavior in the performance of all duties.

Residents are expected to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.

• Provide effective and professional consultation to other physicians and healthcare professionals and sustain therapeutic and ethically sound professional relationships with patients, their families, and colleagues.
• Use effective listening, nonverbal, questioning, and narrative skills to communicate with patients and families.
• Interact with consultants in a respectful, appropriate manner.
• Maintain comprehensive, timely, and eligible medical records.
• Work effectively as a member of the ward team and in the clinical forum.

Residents are expected to be able to use scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate, and improve patient care practices (practice-based learning & improvement).

• Identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance knowledge, skills, attitudes and processes of care.
• Analyze and evaluate practice experiences and implement strategies to continually improve the quality of patient practice.
• Develop and maintain a willingness to learn from errors and use errors to improve the system of processes of care.
• Use information technology or other available methodologies to access and manage information, support patient care decisions and enhance both patient and physician education.
• Facilitate the learning of students and other health professionals.

Residents are expected to demonstrate both understanding of the contexts and systems in which healthcare is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve and optimize healthcare (systems-based practice).

• Understand, access, and utilize the resources, providers and systems necessary to provide optimal care.
• Understand the limitations and opportunities inherent in various practice types and delivery systems, and develop strategies to optimize care for the individual patient.
• Apply evidence-based, cost-conscious strategies to prevention, diagnosis, and disease management.
• Collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to assist patients in dealing effectively with complex systems and to improve systematic processes of care.