Note: K, S, and A, with corresponding numbers in parentheses (e.g., K1, S2, A4), refer to Weill Cornell Medical College’s Educational Objectives of the program leading to the MD degree found at http://weill.cornell.edu/education/curriculum/edu_obj.html.

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge:


1. K1 Recall the basic principles of functional neuroanatomy that are relevant to the process of localization, including the following structures: cerebral hemispheres, posterior fossa, spinal cord, nerve root/plexus, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction, and muscle.


2. K5, K6, S1, S7, S8 Describe a systematic approach to the evaluation and differential diagnosis of patients who present with the following neurologic symptoms:
1. Focal weakness
2. Diffuse weakness
3. Clumsiness
4. Involuntary movements
5. Gait disturbance
6. Urinary or fecal incontinence
7. Dizziness
8. Vision loss
9. Diplopia
10. Dysarthria
11. Dysphagia
12. Acute mental status changes
13. Dementia
14. Aphasia
15. Headache
16. Focal pain
1. facial pain
2. neck pain
3. low back pain
4. neuropathic pain
17. Numbness or paresthesias
18. Transient or episodic focal symptoms
19. Transient or episodic alteration of consciousness
20. Sleep disorders
21. Developmental disorders


3. K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, K8 Describe the epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, radiographic manifestations, pathology, pathophysiology, and spectrum of pharmacological and surgical treatments of the following important neurologic conditions:
1. Potential emergencies

i. Increased intracranial pressure		ii. Toxic-metabolic encephalopathy
iii. Subarachnoid hemorrhage		iv. Meningitis/Encephalitis
v. Status epilepticus		vi. Acute stroke
vii. Spinal cord compression		viii. cauda equina compression
ix. Head Trauma		x. Temporal arteritis
xi. Acute respiratory distress due to neuromuscular weakness



2. Strokes
3. Seizures
4. Alzheimer disease
5. Parkinson disease
6. Essential tremor
7. Multiple sclerosis
8. Migraine
9. Bells palsy
10. Carpal tunnel syndrome
11. Diabetic polyneuropathy
12. Brain death


4. K9 Outline the palliative care of individuals with life-terminating neurological illnesses.


Skills:


5. S4 Obtain a complete and reliable neurologic history.


6. S5 Perform a focused and reliable neurologic examination in patients with neurologic disorders, including those with altered level of consciousness.


7. S11 Organize and deliver a clear, concise, and thorough oral presentation of a patient's history and examination.


8. S11 Organize and prepare a clear, concise, and thorough written presentation of a patient's history and examination.


9. S1, S9 Recognize symptoms that may signify neurologic disease (including disturbances of consciousness, cognition, language, vision, hearing, equilibrium, motor function, somatic sensation, and autonomic function).


10. S5 Distinguish normal from abnormal findings on a neurologic examination.


11. K1, K6, S1, S5 Localize the likely site or sites in the nervous system where a lesion could produce a patient's symptoms and signs.


12. S8 Formulate a differential diagnosis based on lesion localization, time course, and relevant historical and demographic features.


13. S7 Describe the use and interpretation of common tests used in neurologic disease.


14. S2, S3, S10 Explain and interpret the medical literature pertinent to specific issues of patient care.


Attitudes:


15. A4 Demonstrate honesty and integrity in all interactions and activities with patients, families, medical colleagues and others.


16. A6 Maintain a professional demeanor in his/her work, including demonstrating an attitude that values timely attendance, punctuality, and reliability in the performance of his/her duties.


17. A6 Maintain a professional demeanor in his/her work, including demonstrating an attitude that values timely attendance, punctuality, and reliability in the performance of his/her duties.


18. A7 Recognize the ambiguity and uncertainty in biomedical information, clinical situations, and medical decision-making.


19. A8 Recognize and accept the limits in his/her medical knowledge and skills and an accompanying willingness both to seek neurological consultation and to defer to more experienced individuals when indicated.

How Learning Objectives are Assessed
This course uses a variety of methods to assess students throughout the course athat include both formative and summative evaluation. Methods for assessing student achievement of course learning objectives include patient write-ups, an OSCE with standardized patients, the National Board of Examiners Clinical Neurology Shelf examination, and an oral examination in which student discusses his/her diagnosis and therapy for three clinical vignettes. Please refer to the course syllabus for more specific details on grading.