Outpatient Experience

General Neurology Residents’ Continuity Clinic

Site: Kaufmann Medical Building
- Residents hold a weekly half-day general neurology clinic throughout their PGY2 through PGY4 years. Emphasis is on the proper outpatient practice of neurology, professionalism, and systems-based neurological practice. The residents are expected to be accountable to their patients, to review and report test results, and to return phone calls promptly. The goal of this training is that upon completion of residency, the resident is not only skilled in neurological diagnosis, investigation, and management, but has also acquired skill in the management of chronic disease and the techniques of outpatient neurological practice to ensure a successful transition to independent practice.
- Most of the residents hold their continuity clinic at the University Of Pittsburgh Kaufmann Medical Building, which is home to both the general neurology clinics as well as many of the sub-specialty clinics. Each year, residents are assigned a single clinic preceptor who directly oversees the resident for that year. This unique relationship allows the resident to work closely with their preceptor, and facilitates the formation of longitudinal relationships between the resident, their preceptor, and their clinic patients.

Site: Pittsburgh VA Medical Center
- Led by: Dr. Paula R. Clemens
- Outpatient clinics are held each weekday morning at the VA Medical Center Neurology Clinic, and are a required component of the Oakland VA Hospital Rotation. During these clinics, residents work with our VA Neurology faculty to see a variety of cases encompassing both general and subspecialty neurology (e.g. neuromuscular, movement, epilepsy). This rotation allows the resident to gain valuable experience in managing both "bread-and-butter" neurological patients, as well as the unique population of patients with neurological sequelae of military service.

Site(s): Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Shadyside Hospital
- Led by: Dr. Frank S. Lieberman
- During this rotation, residents work with our Neuro-Oncology faculty to evaluate patients with both primary as well as metastatic intracranial malignancies, to familiarize themselves with treatment modalities including chemotherapies or surgical treatment, and to manage neurological sequelae such as seizure disorders or cognitive effects. The mornings are spent predominantly in outpatient clinic at the Hillman Cancer Center, with afternoons spent predominantly inpatient seeing neuro-oncological consults at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, the preeminent cancer center in this region. Residents are required to complete two weeks of this rotation during residency, but additional time as an elective rotation is available if desired.

Site(s): Kaufman Medical Building, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
- Led by: Dr. Janet F. Waters
- During this rotation, residents work with Dr. Waters (our expert in Women's Neurology) to see patients in morning outpatient clinics at Kaufmann Medical Building, as well as afternoon inpatient consults at Magee Womens Hospital. This is a very popular elective, as residents are exposed to the evaluation and management of neurologic disease with a particular emphasis on the care of women in whom child-bearing potential, pregnancy or peri-partum complications, menopausal issues, and gynecologic or breast malignancies must be carefully considered. We are one of the only residencies in the U.S. to provide residency electives as well as fellowship training in Women's Neurology. Residents are required to complete two weeks of this rotation during residency, but additional time as an elective rotation is available if desired.

Site: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
- Led by: Dr. Alexandra Urban (Popescu) (EEG), Dr. David Lacomis (EMG)
- During these two rotations, residents work with faculty in our Epilepsy and Neuromuscular Departments to gain competency in the basics of neuro-physiology. Residents will work towards independent administration of EMGs, as well independent interpretation of EEGs and EMGs. Residents also have the opportunity to observe the evaluation of candidates for surgical management of epilepsy. Residents are required to complete two weeks of each of these rotations during each year (PGY2-PGY4 years), but additional time as an elective rotation is available if desired.