Seminars in pediatric neurology
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The field of pediatric neuromuscular disorders provides rich training experiences in child neurology residency programs. Specific learning objectives include skills in examination and assessment, familiarity with muscle and nerve studies, and indications for biopsies. This review also specifies which neuromuscular disorders are most important to cover within the resident's scope of knowledge, as well as the relationship of this field to the core competencies of residency training. Appropriate settings for inclusion of these skills in child neurology residency programs are suggested.
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Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are individually rare, but collectively common, and impose a burden on affected individuals, their families and society that is disproportionate to their individual incidence and prevalence. Child neurologists should be able to recognize the possibility of an IEM as the cause of their patients' symptoms and signs, and utilize online and print resources to initiate an appropriate work up and referrals. ⋯ They should also be prepared to manage affected children as part of a multidisciplinary team that draws on the skills of other professionals and community organizations. Because of rapid advances in diagnostic technology and the improving survival of children with IEMs, all child neurologists should anticipate caring for children and families with IEMs, and must acquire the ability to diagnose and manage these disorders as part of their residency training, recognizing that maintenance of this competence requires a commitment to life-long learning.
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Semin Pediatr Neurol · Jun 2011
Genetics and child neurology: what every trainee/resident should know.
The training of residents in child neurology varies from one center to another, being influenced to a large extent by the nature and volume of the clinical practice at a specific center and the expertise of the faculty. There is no doubt that there is an undercurrent of genetics in everything we do as child neurologists, sometimes explicit and sometimes implicit. In this article, we highlight a fundamental set of concepts, principles, methodologies, and learning tools/resources of which every child neurology trainee should have some knowledge. We may eventually arrive at a child neurology curriculum that might be continuously revised and maintained (perhaps through the Child Neurology Society) and serve as a template for individual training programs.
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The curriculum for child neurology trainees should include information regarding the many infectious and post-infectious disorders that affect the developing nervous system. This article provides recommendations regarding the nature of the educational content and suggestions how this content can be provided to trainees.
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The training of the child neurologist in the fundamentals of neurology is discussed. Although the fundamentals of neurology are clearly necessary for the practice of child neurology, the breadth of the background necessary for the practice of child neurology depend on the interest, enthusiasm, and goals of the resident in question. Some of the issues involved in the design and implementation of the training curriculum will be considered.