Small Animal Neurology / Neurosurgery Clinical Elective 2003-2004
Course Syllabus - SAMS 5465
Instructors
Marc Kent, DVM, DACVIM (IM)
Office #207
Email: MKent@vet.uga.edu
Deborah James, DVM
Email: DJames@vet.uga.edu
Clinical neurology is unlike most other areas in medicine. The practice of neurology relies as heavily on one's physical exam skills as it does on advanced imaging procedures such as CT and MRI. As a result, the neurology / neurosurgery clinical elective aims at providing students with a strong foundation in performing the neurological exam and understanding how it establishes an accurate neuroanatomic diagnosis. Additionally, students will be exposed to advance imaging procedures such as myelography, CT, and MRI. The large neurology caseload will enable student to see a variety of medical and surgical neurology cases. Students participate at every level of the case management, from initial examination to diagnostic evaluation to medical and surgical treatments.
This elective is limited to 3-4 students per rotation and is a 3 week rotation except with permission of the instructors.
Information concerning the Neurology Service
Personnel
1. The neurology service is headed by Dr. Marc Kent and Dr. Deborah James
2. Other personnel: A dedicated neurology intern and occasional participation
by medical and surgical residents and interns
3. Neurology technician: Charlie Williams
Responsibilities of Senior Students on the Neurology / Neurosurgical Rotation
Inpatient Responsibilities On first day of rotation, clinicians present inpatients.
For the rest of the rotation, students are expected to have completed examination
of, treatment of, and written SOAPs and orders for inpatients by 8 AM. Students
present updates on inpatients to the service at 8 AM rounds. Inpatients are
the primary responsibility of students on the service. They should be SOAPed
daily and checked throughout the day. Students are responsible for treatments
and should be able to discuss any patient condition changes, results of diagnostic
tests, and changes in treatment plan throughout the day. Students communicate
with the owners of all inpatients daily. Night treatments for neurology inpatients
are performed by students in conjunction with those on the Medicine II rotation.
Neurology students are incorporated in the Medicine II rotating evening treatment
schedule.
Discharge Instructions Students are expected to write discharge instructions for their inpatients and outpatients.
Rounds
8 - 8:30 AM Rounds. Each morning the service meets to discuss all inpatients
and outpatients and create a plan for the day.
Teaching rounds. These are held on days/times determined by the instructor
on the service. Topics of rounds revolve around cases as well as specific
topics choosen by the instructors and students.
Evening Rounds. Each evening the service meets to discuss inpatients and remaining
issues concerning outpatients. Students update the rest of the service on
the condition of their inpatients and present results of diagnostic testing
(bring any test results or imaging to rounds for discussion).
Outpatient Responsibilities
New patients come as scheduled appointments. Many of the patients evaluated
by the neurology service are hospitalized for evaluations however some are
outpatients. Students take history, examine patient, assess patient, and form
a preliminary plan. Clinicians review the case and student and a clinician
will return to exam room for further review of patient and discussion with
owner. Students are responsible for care of new patients including diagnostic
testing, treatments, and owner communication, visits, and discharges. Students
may also be asked to communicate with referring veterinarians.
Emergency patients are presented at anytime during the day. If available,
students may be asked to evaluate these patients. Students can participate
in after hours surgical emergency cases (optional)
The neurology service receiving schedule:
New appointments and recheck appointments are seen in the AM on Monday - Wednesday
No appointments scheduled for Thursday
Recheck appointments in the AM on Friday
Consultations
On occasions, neurology clinicians are asked to evaluate patients on other
services. Participation with these consultations is optional.
Weekend Responsibilities
Responsibilities include examination, treatments, owner communication, visits,
and discharges. Students may share weekend duties with others on the service
with the permission of the clinicians on duty. Clinicians supervise and assist
with inpatient care. Night treatments are done by the students on the Medicine
II rotation treatment schedule.
Grading
Students will be evaluated as satisfactory/unsatisfactory based on their patient
care, participation, and performance during the rotation.
Recommended Textbooks
The following texts are available in the reading room and clinic rounds room:
Handbook of Veterinary Neurology, 3rd ed. Oliver, Lorenz, and Kornegay. Philadelphia,
WB Saunders, 1997.
Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology, 2nd ed. deLahunta, A. Philadelphia
WB Saunders, 1983.
Policy
Students must abide by the University Honor Code and Academic Honesty Policy.
All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of
Honesty". Each student is responsible to inform themselves about those
standards before performing any academic work.