Residency

The first year of neurology training is designed to provide an intensive clinical experience in a structured teaching setting. In parallel with direct care on the inpatient Neurology Services, PGY-2 residents are assigned to outpatient clinics where they receive one-on-one supervision. A large percentage of time is spent on the Yale-New Haven Hospital adult inpatient service, and the West Haven V. A. Medical Center. This description of a typical PGY-2 schedule outlines what you can expect.

The primary goal of the PGY-2 year is for the resident to achieve a high degree of competence in the clinical assessment, evaluation, and treatment of patients with neurological disease. Residents gain experience in the interpretation of neurodiagnostic techniques including: EEG, EMG, evoked potentials, carotid and transcranial ultrasound, angiograms, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). As noted below, outpatient as well as inpatient neurology is emphasized. Beginning during this first year of neurology training, residents establish close working relationships with faculty in the Department. Collegiality is emphasized, and feedback is provided throughout the period of residency.

The second year of neurology training is directed toward focused training in key areas of neurology Three months of pediatric neurology are required during all adult neurology residency programs, providing in-depth exposure to this population of patient. This description of a typical PGY-3 schedule outlines what you can expect.

The PGY-4 year of neurology residency training is one of advanced clinical responsibility and in-depth study in elective areas of interest. Each resident rotates through the Consult Service at Yale-New Haven Hospital. During this year, the resident also spends time directing the inpatient Neurology Services at Yale and the West Haven VA Medical Center as Senior Ward Resident. This training in a supervisory role provides a useful transition to clinical practice, fellowship, or academic neuroscience. This description of a typical PGY-4 schedule outlines what you can expect.

Senior Resident Teaching

Residents, at all levels, play an important role in the neurology teaching program. During the PGY-4 year, the senior residents assume a major responsibility for teaching within the residency program, and for the supervision of medical students rotating on the neurology service. Residents in the Clinician-Educator Track can use elective time for medical education electives, education research, or the development of educational tools or programs.

Resident Research

Three months of elective time are available in the PGY-4 year, and interested residents are encouraged to use this time for research. More elective time is available in the PGY-4 year to residents in the Clinical Neuroscientist Training Program and the Yale Investigative Neurology Program.

International Electives

Previous residents have used elective time in their senior year for international electives, either arranged on their own, or as part of the Global Neurology residency track.

We have established several residency tracks to provide residents the opportunity to develop their interests in research, medical education, global health and healthcare management early in their careers.

Residents with a strong interest in careers in global health and neurology can choose to enter the Global Neurology Track at the start of their PGY-3 year. In this track, residents will have the opportunity to use elective time for travel abroad and global neurology research.