Curriculum

Clinical Training

Clinical training for fellows is supervised throughout the entire training period with increasing degrees of autonomy. Fellows learn how to diagnose and care for patients of all ages within the entire spectrum of movement disorders. Fellows work with each member of our clinical faculty to gain exposure to various areas of expertise and approaches toward evaluation and treatment.

Clinical training includes:

• General Movement Disorders Clinics (Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonian disorders, essential tremor, tics/Tourette syndrome, functional movement disorders, dystonia, myoclonus, etc.), including telemedicine-based services
• Huntington’s Disease multidisciplinary clinic (genetic counseling/testing, physical therapy, speech therapy, psychiatry)
• Ataxia multidisciplinary clinic (genetic counseling/testing, physical therapy)
• Selection of patients for, planning and administration of botulinum toxin injections under direct supervision
• Comprehensive deep brain stimulation education including initial screening and patient selection, on-off motor evaluation, neuropsychological testing, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and programming as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Exposure to advanced diagnostic modalities including nuclear imaging, neurophysiological testing and quantitative gait analysis for patients with movement disorders
• Selection of patients for and management of levodopa intestinal infusion pumps
• Neuropalliative
• Pediatric movement disorders

Clinical schedules are developed to ensure that fellows have sufficient experience and training to develop all clinical proficiencies expected of a well-trained, independent movement disorders specialist. The proportion of time spent in particular clinics may vary based on interests and career goals. We also have a faculty-precepted fellows’ clinic and in this setting, fellows follow a subset of patients longitudinally and more independently throughout the course of their fellowship.

Example of Year 1 Clinic Schedule

Fellows who have specific clinical interests could have additional exposure to other programs/clinics. Fellows that are interested in research training will have less amount of clinic time in year 1.

Research Training

We offer many opportunities for research training and mentorship. Our NIH funded Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) provides a centralized, integrated infrastructure for clinical and translational research and our Center for Health + Technology (CHeT) and Clinical Trials Coordination Center (CTCC) offer unique opportunities in technology research, telemedicine, and clinical trials operations. In addition to developing expertise as clinical raters in serving as site sub-investigators, our fellows have opportunities to help plan phase III clinical trials with experts in clinical trial design and conduct, and may serve as medical monitor, responsible for assuring the safety and welfare of research participants. The University of Rochester is also a designated NINDS Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson’s disease research, one of five centers in the U.S., which brings together researchers from industry and multiple academic institutions to focus on the development of digital measures to enhance understanding of Parkinson’s disease, engage broad populations in research, and accelerate the development of new treatments. Other areas of expertise include palliative care, neuropsychiatric symptoms, telemedicine/remote trials, health inequities, quality improvement, neurophysiology, therapeutics, and more. The University of Rochester offers a host of educational opportunities and conferences for researchers. Valuable experience is also gained in reviewing and preparing manuscripts, research proposals, and grants.

For those interested in a heavier research-based training program, we also have an Experimental Therapeutics Fellowship, which is a NIH funded fellowship specifically aimed at developing clinical researchers focused on neurotherapeutics in neurology.

Education

Fellows attend weekly division conferences and Neurology Grand Rounds throughout their training. Fellows are encouraged to join online lectures provided by national/international experts offered by the MDS Fellowship Directors group. We also offer a professional stipend to support travel and participation in national/international meetings.

Didactics and Conferences (Fridays 12-1 pm)

Movement Disorders “Boot Camp” Series

An introductory series of lectures given by faculty experts on key diseases and procedures at the start of fellowship.  

Video Rounds (monthly)

An interactive review of interesting cases videotaped during clinic by fellows and faculty to discuss differential diagnoses, work up and management.

Journal Clubs (monthly)

This is a review of the classic or new literature where fellows present seminal trials and practice-defining studies of the field and explore new topics in movement disorders literature.

Guest lectures (monthly)

Invited experts, both internal and external to the University of Rochester, present on a variety of topics.