Indiana University School of Medicine Program

The Indiana University School of Medicine offers a one-year ACGME-accredited Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship. This program is distinctive in its provision of three fellowship positions annually, wherein two focus on EEG and epilepsy, while the remaining position specializes in EMG and neuromuscular disorders. Under the guidance of experienced faculty, clinical neurophysiology fellows partake in extensive training in a range of neurophysiology techniques, including EEG, EMG, intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, and sleep studies. The fellowship is designed to equip fellows with the necessary skills to function independently in either academic or private practice settings.

Fellows benefit from a rich clinical training environment, rotating through multiple IU Health clinical facilities, both inpatient and outpatient. The key training sites include IU Health Methodist Hospital, recognized as Indiana's oldest Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, and Riley Hospital for Children, esteemed nationally for its pediatric care. Both institutions are equipped with 24-7 epilepsy video monitoring and neurotelemetry units. A significant portion of the fellowship's clinical experience occurs at the IU Health Neuroscience Center, home to Indiana's only Level 4 Epilepsy Center, an ALS Center of Excellence, and an MDA Care Center.

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship curriculum is divided into two distinct tracks:

EEG and Epilepsy Track

In this track, fellows rotate in an inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit and engage in outpatient EEG and neurotelemetry unit activities. The fellows are actively involved in a half-day EMG/NCS session weekly and participate in weekly evoked reading sessions for intraoperative neurophysiology studies. Furthermore, they attend epilepsy clinic meetings at IU Health Neuroscience Center and take part in operating room functional brain mapping and neurophysiology monitoring such as electrocorticography.

EMG and Neuromuscular Disorders Track

EMG track fellows rotate within the EMG labs at the IU Neuroscience Center and at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. They also partake in weekly EEG and neurotelemetry reading sessions and evoked reading sessions for intraoperative neurophysiology. Additionally, fellows may have opportunities to attend adult and pediatric sleep studies and participate in a weekly MDA clinic.

Application Requirements

To be considered for the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship, applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited four-year residency in Neurology. The selection process is notably competitive; thus, academic performance and prior experience can play essential roles in a candidate's application.

Visa Sponsorship

The program offers visa support for selected candidates. While specific visa types may not be detailed, it typically accommodates J-1 or H-1B visas depending on individual circumstances and program policy.

Competitiveness

The Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship at Indiana University is highly competitive. It is generally welcoming to candidates from diverse backgrounds, including DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) and IMG (International Medical Graduate) applicants, thereby fostering a diverse range of fellows.

Research Opportunities

Fellows engage in significant research initiatives throughout their training period. They are encouraged to participate in ongoing research projects and may also develop independent research studies, culminating in publications in peer-reviewed journals. This exposure not only enhances the fellows’ clinical skills but also contributes to advancements in the field of neurophysiology.

Career Pathways

Upon completion of the fellowship, graduates are well-prepared to pursue careers in various domains such as academic medicine, private practice, and telehealth/neurophysiology monitoring. The program has a historical legacy, having trained over 115 specialists in clinical neurophysiology since its inception, highlighting its commitment to developing proficient neurophysiologists.