|  |  |
Vocational Training
Neurology
Supervising
Committee
Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) in Neurology.
Definition of Specialty
Paediatric neurology encompasses the science, investigation and management of
all inherited and acquired diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous
systems in childhood.
General Principles- Advanced
training in paediatric neurology is for a minimum period of 3 years following
satisfactory completion of basic paediatric training and FRACP Examination in
Paediatrics.
- It is recommended that some time be spent in overseas training
at a major child neurology centre.
- At the completion of training, the
trainee should have acquired the ability to independently assess, investigate
and undertake long term management of paediatric patients with a wide variety
of acute and chronic neurological problems.
- All subspecialty paediatric
trainees must complete the community and child health requirements for paediatric
training.
Note that the guidelines differ between Australia and New Zealand.
Components of Training
Core Training- a minimum of 2 years must be spent in the practice
of clinical paediatric neurology;
- experience must involve direct patient
care, both inpatient and outpatient, normally under the supervision of at least
2 paediatric neurologists in the setting of a busy teaching hospital;
- the
trainee should participate in an after hours on-call roster for a minimum of one
year of the training period to ensure competence in the management of acute neurological
problems;
- clinical research is encouraged during the period of core training
but any laboratory research should be for no more than half a day of the working
week;
- a maximum of 6 months training in the subspecialties of paediatric
epileptology or paediatric neuromuscular disease may be accredited as core training.
Procedural
Skills
At the end of the 2 years of the core training, the trainee should
have the following skills:
- expertise in paediatric EEG interpretation;
- knowledge
of the technical aspects of and indications for neurophysiological studies such
as nerve conduction and EMG as well as evoked responses. This does not necessarily
mean that every child neurologist would be expected to perform and interpret these
studies independently;
- a working knowledge of neuroradiology and neuropathology.
Non
Core Training- this is for a minimum period of one year and can include
any of the subspecialties of paediatric neurology, e.g. epilepsy, neuromuscular
or neurometabolic disease, neuroophthalmology, neurogenetics, etc;
- it
is strongly recommended that formal training in clinical adult neurology is obtained
and a 12 month period is considered ideal;
- non core training can also
be obtained in neurophysiology, neuropathology, psychiatry and clinical or basic
research as long it is related to the neurosciences.
The guidelines for
core and non core training stated above are minimum requirements. However, it
is acknowledged that some flexibility may be desirable in individual cases. If
a trainee plans to embark on a program that deviates from these guidelines, it
is recommended that this is discussed with his/her supervisors and the paediatric
neurology representative on the SAC prior to starting the program.
Assessment
Where applicable, reports need to be completed by 2 supervisors.
Special
Societies
- Australian Association of Neurologists (AAN); and
- Child
Neurology Study Group.
For further information regarding membership of
the societies, please contact:
The Secretariat
Australian Association
of Neurologists
145 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 61 2 9256 5443
Fax:
61 2 9241 4083
E-mail: aansyd@hotkey.net.au
Website:
www.aan.org.au
Dr David Jamison FRACP
C/-
Starship Children's Hospital
Private Bag 92024
Auckland
[ Table of Contents ]
|  |
