Components of Training

Core training
The minimum core training requirements are:

• 18 months full-time (or equivalent part-time) direct responsibility for emergency assessment and inpatient care of general neurology patients.
  
• 12 months on-call for neurological emergencies.
  
• 12 months of neurology consultations within a general hospital.
  
• 24 months of neurology outpatient service at a minimum of one clinic per week or the equivalent number over a shorter duration.
  
• Exposure to:
  
  • Neuroimaging (including one neuroradiologist conducting weekly review period over two years).
    
  • Neuropathology (one neuropathologist teaching period per month for two years, or attendance at two neuropathology teaching courses, e.g. University of Sydney Postgraduate Neuropathology Course).
    
  • Neurorehabilitation (one period per week for six months preferably at an approved rehabilitation facility or involvement in rehabilitation activities in a general hospital).
    
• Neurophysiology training may be completed during the third year of training even if it is an elective year of training.
  
• Subspecialty training may include neurogenetics, neuroophthalmology, paediatric neurology, neurootology, neuromuscular, behavioural neurology, stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders and neuroimmunology and is generally obtained during the second or third year. This training may be gained by attendance at appropriate clinics, ward service, clinical meetings and seminars.

[ Back to Vocational Advanced Training Menu ]

Procedural Skills
Neurophysiology training will comprise one period per week for 24 months or an equivalent total over a shorter period of time but not less than three months, in an accredited laboratory during which time it is expected that approximately 500 EEGs and 50 EPs will be examined or reported on under supervision and approximately 250 EMGs will be attended or performed under supervision with all studies logged.

The logbooks are required to record the extent of the experience during the course of training. The supervisors will use these logbooks to formulate the annual report and the SAC may review these logs.

[ Back to Vocational Advanced Training Menu ]

Elective Training
This need not be directly related to clinical neurology but should be related to the neurosciences.

The principal aims are to enable trainees to develop ability for critical appraisal of specific research and publications and to promote research within the neurosciences by clinicians. The elective training also allows for development of more experience in a particular subspecialty area of clinical neurology.

[ Back to Vocational Advanced Training Menu ]

Other Specific Requirements

• Two neurologists from each training institution will be required to sign the supervisor's report. They will review the neurophysiology logbook.
  
• The extent of subspecialty exposure will be specifically documented on the supervisor's report.
  
• During the training program and prior to gaining the FRACP, the trainee will attend at least two AAN scientific meetings or international equivalents and two other Australasian or international meetings which may be general or specialty, open or training. Attendance at scientific and educational conferences will be documented in the supervisor's report.
  
• Advanced trainees are encouraged to sit the American Academy of Neurology Inservice Training and Self Assessment Examination. The timing of the examination will be at the discretion of the trainee but it will be most useful at the commencement of year three. The results will be given only to the trainee and will enable the trainees to assess their level of knowledge and training and identify deficiencies.

[ Back to Vocational Advanced Training Menu ]

Research
Research should be within the neurosciences and enable the trainee to develop an ability for critical appraisal of scientific research and publications. The trainee should be encouraged to undertake a research project in either clinical or basic neuroscience research during their core training years.

[ Back to Vocational Advanced Training Menu ]

Training Posts
Institutions suitable for approved advanced training will satisfy minimum criteria. The suitability of institutions for approved training is assessed by the State Education and Training Committee and is reviewed every three years.

It is envisaged that some institutions will satisfy all the requirements for an advanced trainee post on site but others may have to make arrangements with institutions and departments in geographical proximity to do so.

[ Back to Vocational Advanced Training Menu ]

[ Home ] [ General Information ] [ Basic Training ] [ Advanced Training ]
[ Advanced Vocational Training ] [ Training outside Australia & New Zealand ]
[ Return to RACP Homepage ]

bl