Education & Training
Neurocritical Care Fellowship Curriculum
Like all intensivists, the neurointensivist assumes the primary care role for management of critical care issues of patients in the ICU, coordinating the neurological, neurosurgical and medical management of the patient.
Therefore, the core curriculum for the Neurocritical Care Fellowship at University Hospitals is evenly split between neurological/neurosurgical diseases and conditions and medical diseases and conditions that commonly complicate acute neurological illnesses.
Clinical Rotations for Neurocritical Care
Our Neurocritical Care Fellowship is a two-year program that includes 12 months of ICU time in which the fellow functions as a primary provider of critical care. This includes six months in the Reinberger Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit and six months rotating in the other medical and surgical intensive care units. The remaining 12 months are dedicated to neurosurgery and stroke service, electives and protected research time.
Neurocritical Care Fellowship Didactic Components
All fellows regularly attend seminars and conferences in neurology, neurosurgery, critical care and neuroradiology. This includes a two-year multidisciplinary critical care course that covers all aspects of intensive care medicine. Additional didactic exposure is available in the following areas:
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Epilepsy and neurophysiology
- Neuromuscular disease
- Neuropathology
- Pain management
- Rehabilitation
All fellows attend periodic seminars, journal clubs, lectures in basic science, didactic courses, and meetings of local and national neurological societies.
Trainee Duty Hours and Working Environment
Fellow duty hours are consistent with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements. Neurocritical care fellows do not take in-house call.
Evaluation and Certification
Clearly defined procedures for regular evaluation of fellows' knowledge, skills and overall performance, including the development of professional attitudes consistent with being a physician, are part of the fellowship. Fellows are evaluated on the following areas: patient, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism and systems-based practice. Upon completion of the program, fellows will be eligible for certification in Neurocritical Care through the United Councils of Neurologic Subspecialties.
Trainee Qualifications
Neurological intensive care fellowship training must be preceded by the completion of residency training in neurology, neurological surgery, internal medicine, anesthesiology, surgery, or emergency medicine, in a program accredited by ACGME or the Royal College of Physicians (Canada). An Ohio medical license is required.