Pediatric Neurology Curriculum
Goal #1: Understand and employ the concept of anatomical localization of neurologic symptoms and deficits.
Objectives
Instructional Strategies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Differentiate between upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron
(LMN) dysfunction by using the distribution of strength, muscle bulk, muscle
tone, fasciculations, sensory changes, and reflex change
List components of the motor unit
Differentiate tone from strength
Define spasticity
Differentiate between UMN and LMN facial weakness
Differentiate sensory disorders secondary from peripheral nervous system lesions
(radiculopathy, mononeuropathy, brachial plexopathy) versus from central
lesions (recognize cortical sensory loss, spinal sensory level)
During the evaluation of the comatose patient, define and localize: decorticate vs
decerebrate posturing, pupillary abnormalities (e.g. pinpoint, “blown” pupil), and
vestibuloocular reflexes (“Dolls eyes”) and discuss how these findings help
determine structural vs metabolic cause, bihemispheric vs brainstem lesions
Understand herniation syndromes
Learner
Evaluation
Direct patient care in neurology
clinic
Global rotation
evaluation form
Rotation readings
Attendance at and
participation in
didactic sessions
Formal and informal didactics with
neurology attendings
Competencies
PC
MK
Goal #2: Provide family-centered patient care that is developmentally and age-appropriate, compassionate, and effective for the treatment of neurologic health
problems and the promotion of health.
Objectives
Instructional Strategies
Learner
Competencies
Evaluation
1. Gather essential and accurate information about the neurologic patient using the following Provide direct patient care for
Global rotation
PC
clinical skills:
children with neurologic problems
evaluation form
MK
a. Medical interviewing, including focused neurological history appropriate to the
under attending and/or fellow
SBP
chief complaint
supervision
Direct feedback
ICS
b. Neurological examination, with ability to construct and perform a focused exam
from attending in
appropriate to the chief complaint
Pediatric neurologic examination
clinic and on wards
c. Interpretation of data from diagnostic studies, including lumbar puncture, head
website
computed tomography, brain magnetic resonance imaging
http://medstat.med.utah.edu/pedine Website self-quiz
d. Assimilation into patient care of results from electroencephalograms,
urologicexam/home_exam.html
electromyography/nerve conduction studies, nerve and muscle biopsy,
visual/auditory/brainstem/somatosensory evoked potentials, and angiography
Washington University
2. Make informed diagnostic and therapeutic decisions based on patient information, current
Neuromuscular Center
scientific evidence, and clinical judgment.
(www.neuro.wustl.edu/neuromusc
3. Understand the appropriate use of consultants and referrals
ular)
4. Use information technology to optimize patient care
Gene Tests (www.genetests.org)
Pediatric Neurology Curriculum
Goal #3: demonstrate knowledge about biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, and the application of this knowledge to care of
neurologic patients.
Objectives
Instructional Strategies
Learner
Competencies
Evaluation
1. The resident shall understand and employ the concept of anatomical localization of
Provide direct patient care for
Resident global
PC
neurologic symptoms and deficits such as:
children with neurologic problems
evaluation form
MK
under attending and/or fellow
 Differentiation between upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN)
supervision
Self-quiz “Pedi
dysfunction
Neuro Board
 Implications of the brain stem examination in a comatose patient
Didactic lectures within core
Review” on OHSU
lecture series addressing listed
network ‘I’ drive
2. The resident will review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis,
topics
and management of core neurology topics, and in turn apply that knowledge to patient
care:
 Seizures (including classification, syndromes, evaluation/management of first seizure, Rotation readings
side effects of antiseizure medications)
 Headache
 Cerebral palsy
 Neuromuscular disorders including hypotonic infant
 Movement disorders including tic disorders
 Pediatric stroke
Goal #4: Be able to use scientific methods and evidence to investigate, evaluate, and improve their patient care practices. They must recognize their own strengths
and weaknesses, locate and assimilate evidence from studies, and actively participate in the education of families, other trainees and health professionals.
Objectives
Instructional Strategies
Learner
Competencies
Evaluation
1. The resident will prepare a brief presentation for team members on a topic in neurology
Literature review and possible
Immediate
ICS
which was encountered during patient care or which is pertinent to the resident’s own
case-based discussion with
feedback from
PC
practice or future career goals.
attending and other team members attending
MK
PBLI
Resident global
evaluation form
Any handouts
prepared should be
included in the
resident’s
educational
portfolio
Pediatric Neurology Curriculum