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The Epilepsy Fellowship alternates inpatient rotations with outpatient care and electives.
Educational Opportunities
Clinical Training
During the core EEG & clinical rotations, the fellow will work closely with a diverse patient population, including those with complex and treatment-resistant epilepsy and will gain a rich expertise in the following:
- Long term EEG monitoring in adult and pediatric EMU
- Continuous bedside EEG monitoring of critically ill patients in adult and pediatric ICU
- Routine EEG
- Ambulatory EEG
- Presurgical evaluation of patients with drug resistant epilepsy
- Intracranial EEG monitoring (stereo EEG, subdural grids)
- Intraoperative electrocorticography (ECOG)
- Intraoperative mapping of somatosensory cortex with somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP)
- Wada procedure
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) programming
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) and Responsive Nerve stimulation (RNS)
- Outpatient continuity clinic
- Ketogenic diet clinic
- Neuroimaging interpretation (brain MRI, PET, ictal SPECT, functional MRI)
Multidisciplinary Approach
The Epilepsy fellowship Program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to epilepsy care, providing fellows opportunities to collaborate with specialists in neurosurgery, neuropsychology, neuroradiology, neurocritical care, nutritionists, genetic counselors, social workers and other relevant disciplines.
Educational Conferences
Throughout the fellowship, the fellow attends a diverse array of scheduled educational conferences including didactic lectures, surgical epilepsy case conferences, journal clubs, and neurology grand rounds, to enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills in epileptology.
Research
Fellows are strongly encouraged to participate in research and scholarly activities under the guidance of experienced faculty members. The University of Iowa is recognized for its contributions to epilepsy research, offering access to cutting-edge facilities and resources. Dedicated elective time to pursue research projects is available.
Faculty and Resources
The fellowship is supported by a distinguished faculty of board certified adult and pediatric epileptologists, neurophysiologists, neurosurgeons, and researchers who are committed to mentorship and the advancement of epilepsy care.
The University of Iowa boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced neuroimaging technologies, EEG monitoring capabilities, and dedicated separate epilepsy monitoring unit for adult and pediatric patients, ensuring fellows receive training with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Teaching
Teaching is the core of our identity at the University of Iowa and there are diverse opportunities for fellows with an interest in education to get involved. As the state’s only academic medical center, the University of Iowa prides itself on educating the next generation of healthcare providers. There are monthly opportunities to provide didactics to Carver College of Medicine students rotating on their neurology clerkship. Our medical students highly value the teaching from our Graduate Medical Education trainees, rating the quality in the top quartile nationally.
Opportunities also exist on a monthly basis to teach both adult and pediatric neurology residents. We provide lectures on epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology topics to residents most Thursdays each month. We also conduct simulations in our state-of-the-art Center for Procedural Skills and Simulation and host EEG practice workshops throughout the year. In addition to training neurology residents, we are routinely invited to provide foundational lectures for our primary care and psychiatry residencies.
The University of Iowa also serves as the primary clinical site for the Electroneurodiagnostic (END) Technology Program through Kirkwood Community College. Fellows may elect to provide didactics or informal teaching to our END students.
Several regional conferences are held annually in Iowa City including the Iowa Neurologic Association’s Annual Meeting and the END Technologist’s Annual Symposium which offer fellows the opportunity to present to a wider audience.
For those looking to further develop their skills as a medical educator, the Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education offers a broad range of services to support medical education and scholarship. Fellows may choose to participate in monthly skills development workshops, self-instructional programs, and individual consultations to target their personal goals for growth. They also provide resources for educational research and scholarship.
Fellow Duties & Responsibilities
Clinical Care
Diagnostic Procedures: Interpret and generate reports in a timely fashion for:
- Routine EEG
- Long term video EEG (EMU, ICU, ED and floor)
- Ambulatory EEG
- Intracranial EEG
- Intraoperative electrocorticography
- Intraoperative SSEP for motor cortex localization
- EEG monitoring during Wada procedure
Continuity clinic: Fellow attends 1 half- day continuity clinic a week
- Conduct comprehensive evaluations of patients with epilepsy, including detailed medical history, and physical examination
- Develop individualized treatment plans, including anti-seizure medication management, dietary therapy (e.g., ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet), presurgical evaluation and dose titration of neurostimulation devices (VNS, DBS, RNS) .
- Provide ongoing management and follow-up care for patients, adjusting treatment plans as necessary based on patient response and evolving clinical evidence.
- Take ownership of continuity clinic patients and respond to patient messages and phone calls in a timely fashion.
Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) rounds: Fellow joins rounds on the patients admitted to EMU.
- Actively participates in daily treatment plans for patients admitted for EEG monitoring for spell classification, seizure classification and seizure localization
- Actively engages in discussion of EEG updates with the patient/family on rounds
- Supervises neurology residents
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Participate in epilepsy surgery case conferences, and other collaborative meetings to discuss complex cases and develop integrated care plans.
- Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, dieticians, nurses, EEG technicians and social workers, to provide comprehensive care for epilepsy patients.
Research
Fellow is highly encouraged to:
- Engage in research projects and scholarly activities such as quality improvement projects, retrospective chart review studies, or conduct prospective research study related to epilepsy in collaboration with a mentor.
- Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present (posters/platform presentation) at national and international conferences.
Education and Training
- Teach and mentor neurology residents, and medical students rotating in EMU
- Participate in continuing medical education (CME) activities, attend scheduled lectures, journal clubs, epilepsy surgery case conferences and national conferences to stay current with the latest advancements in epilepsy care.
Administrative Duties
- Documentation: Maintain accurate and thorough medical records, including clinic notes, EEG reports, treatment plans, and follow-up care notes.
- Procedure logs: Maintain and update procedure logs for EEG studies in a timely fashion.
Professional Development
- Skill Enhancement: Continuously enhance clinical skills and knowledge through self-study, attending relevant conferences, and seeking opportunities for professional growth.
- Board Certification: Work towards obtaining board certification in epilepsy and maintaining certification through ongoing education and practice.
Commitment to Diversity
The Epilepsy Fellowship Program at the University of Iowa is deeply committed to fostering diversity in all facets of its training and operations. Recognizing the importance of a diverse healthcare workforce in addressing the complex needs of patients with epilepsy, our program actively promotes a culture of inclusiveness and respect for individuals from all backgrounds.
Location and Lifestyle
Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the fellowship offers a unique blend of professional growth and community charm with a high quality of life. Fellow benefits from a collegial atmosphere and access to a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. The city itself is welcoming and vibrant, known for its cultural events, diverse dining options, and outdoor recreational activities in the farmlands, orchards and along the serene Iowa River. With a supportive medical community and a focus on patient-centered care, Iowa City provides an ideal environment for developing expertise in epilepsy treatment while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.