Neurosurgery Residency - Rotations, Objectives & Curriculum

The resident will serve 6 months as intern on the main Neurosurgery service, 3 months on Neurology, and 3 months on the Neuro ICU service.

The resident will learn basic surgical techniques and patient management. Critical care skills will be emphasized.  The resident will also learn basic neuroscience.

Primary Clinical Skills Performance Based Objectives:
The resident will demonstrate mastery of the following skills:

During this time period, the resident will be assigned to 3 months of neurology at Augusta University Medical Center. Assignments are usually on a consult service where the resident gains practice in the identification and emergent treatment of a number of neurological diseases and syndromes. A part of the assignment may be on a neurology inpatient service where the resident may assist in the therapy of patients assigned to the Neurology service. Disorders encountered may include seizures, movement disorders, headaches, neuromuscular disorders, strokes and other syndromes of primary concern to the neurologist.

The Augusta University Medical Center has an extremely active Neurodiagnostic Unit including EMG, EEG and evoked potential. The Stroke team is internationally known. World-class faculty in epilepsy, dementia and neuromuscular disorders also enhance the residents' experience.

Neurology Goal:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the neurological examination, diagnostic neurological testing, and neurological diseases and their treatment.

Neuro ICU Goals:

• The three-month rotation in the neuro ICU is an important educational rotation.  The neurosurgery resident will be assigned specific patients and will be responsible for their critical care supervised by neuro ICU attendings and fellows.  The neurosurgery resident will round with the neuro ICU team daily, which consists of attendings, fellows, nurse practitioners, pharmacy staff, and nursing staff.
• Patient management is discussed in depth, and a care plan is formulated for each patient for the day.  The resident then carries out necessary care for each patient with the help of the nurse practitioner and the NICU fellow.
• The resident will learn critical care of patients with neurological diseases, airway management, placement of venous and arterial lines, ventilator management, and critical care pathophysiology and pharmacology.