Hottest fellowship in neurology?

[darksideone]

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What do you think is the hottest fellowship for neurology currently in regards to post fellowship job opportunities?

 

[AHillock]

I would agree that interventional is a hot fellowship currently. However we will have to see what kind of inroads neurology will be able to make in the next 5-10 yrs to claim this as their own (i.e. SVIN). If neurology can open up more programs for neurology trained fellows, this could very well take off even more than it has. There are also many other interesting fellowships available like neuro-onc, neurocritical care, sleep disorders, neuroimaging, pain, and neurophys. Imho neuro has so many interesting fellowships.

 

[Fencer]

The AAN has joined several medical societies aiming to push for Medicare to set reimbursement rates (i.e.: level V consult, procedures, etc.) based on board certification and/or re-certification status. If this get enacted at a point within 10 years, it will result in changes in how many people get subspecialty certification. Think about the possibility that your EMG might be paid only if you are currently certified on Clinical Neurophysiology or Neuromuscular (or similar boards for the PM&R). This is not far-fetched as it seems, but for current residents it make change fellowship decisions.

At the present time, Clinical Neurophysiology is the most popular fellowship (over 200 slots/yr) because it allows you flexibility for private practice (BC doing EEGs, EMGs, and for the last year Sleep studies). Out of my last 10 fellows, half of them decided to use their CN fellowship to cover their requirement in Sleep Medicine (and get BC in Sleep). All of them are in private practice. That loophole is closing.

 

[HarveyCushing]

Those of you who are current residents/attendings, what do you think of some of the sub-specialties like neuro-oncology, headache, epilepsy that aren't spoken of as much on here? Do you think they have bright futures?

 

[Fencer]

Epilepsy is becoming a BC subspecialty in a couple of years. However, it is one of the oldest neurological subspecialties. For years, training consisted in a 2 year fellowship in a surgical epilepsy program with most jobs in Academic Centers. It is a niche with relatively high revenue for neurology departments. There are few positions in private practice, primarily because to build a comprehensive program, you need infrastructure a a very large referral pattern. You can examine the directory of the National Association of Epilepsy Centers to have an idea of the locations of level IV centers across the nation.
http://www.naeclocator.org/locator/resultsall.asp
The other organization is the American Epilepsy Society:
https://www.aesnet.org/

 

[NRAI2001]

Is pain considered a popular fellowship?

 

[HarveyCushing]

Is pain considered a popular fellowship?

In general, or for neurology residents? I think in general it is fairly popular due to procedures, life-style, and good income. However from my understanding the majority come from anesthesia programs first and then PM&R programs. I would guess neurology would fall somewhere after that. As far as how popular this fellowship is amongst neurology residents is hard to know. I'm sure there are those interested in it, however the vast majority don't go into neurology to get into pain AFAIK.

 

[Fencer]

That is an accurate statement, HarveyCushing. Pain is a difficult subject within neurological training, which emphasizes objective deficits and rational thinking. I do not see many neurologists going in that direction. However, botox injections for "pain" are popular in some private practices.