Anyone have any experience in a neuromuscular fellowship?? I am curious because of the extra EMG experience and I enjoy neuromuscular cases. However, is it a waste of time due to all the experience with EMG during residency? And does anyone have any info on the UC Davis fellowship, has any fellows with input? Any advice would be appreciated.
Neuromuscular Fellowship input
- Thread starter NYPMR
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2008
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 0
I believe UC Davis is the only ACGME-accredited Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship through PM&R. Does anyone know of any other programs that are in the process of becoming ACGME-accredited? Also, does anyone know of any Neuromuscular fellowships through Neurology that have taken PM&R residents? Thanks.
You are right, and at this point I know of no Neuro fellowships that take PM&R. The higher ups at AANEM are making NO EFFORT at all in educating PMR docs in taking the neuromuscular boards. I was thinking about it since I do a lot of it, and can grandfather in. I then took the SAE exam from AANEM. I did great, except on the Pathology part (which is 25% of the exam). I am very concerned that I will fail. So, after I do my AAPMR recert, I will go to the Armed forces military institute neuropath course (it is ridiculously expensive) and then shoot the dice! When I spoke with some of the docs at Ohio St. and Mayo, they are not even bothering to take the exam, just resting on their ABNEM certificates (which is not ACGME accredited)!
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2003
- Messages
- 1,758
- Reaction score
- 86
I think at the AAP fellowship panel there was a girl who was at a neurology based neuromuscular fellowship - i think it was at UCSF??? (someone correct me if i'm wrong). There is also one at UCLA - one of the PM&R residents did it last year - last I heard there were plans on starting an accredited fellowship at the WLA VA which will be housed under the neurology dept but will take PM&R.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2008
- Messages
- 782
- Reaction score
- 3
Most of the neuromuscular fellowships are neuro based UC Davis being the notable exception. This is their first year accredited, if Im not mistaken. Most of these fellowships obviously favor neuro grads over PM&R (wonder if UC Davis will look at neuro applicants?), although theres probably the rare exception floating around. Heard from a reliable source that the Harvard/MG/BWH neuromuscular fellowship accepted their first PM&R resident for next year.
There are a few ACGME accredited clinical neurophysiology (EMG) fellowships OTOH, that have occasionally taken PM&R residents. But it depends on the individual institution, and it seems like they tend to favor their own residents. Physiatrists arent eligible to sit for the clinical neurophysiology boards. And - someone correct me if I'm wrong - none of these clinical neurophys/EMG fellows will be able to sit for the neuromuscular boards in the future.
The 2012 exam is the last time to get grandfathered in for neuromuscular medicine. Im still debating whether or not its personally worth it. Its meaningless to me now in my established practice (which is probably why the OSU/Mayo docs wont do it), but it would come in handy in the future if I ever decide to move.
There are a few ACGME accredited clinical neurophysiology (EMG) fellowships OTOH, that have occasionally taken PM&R residents. But it depends on the individual institution, and it seems like they tend to favor their own residents. Physiatrists arent eligible to sit for the clinical neurophysiology boards. And - someone correct me if I'm wrong - none of these clinical neurophys/EMG fellows will be able to sit for the neuromuscular boards in the future.
The 2012 exam is the last time to get grandfathered in for neuromuscular medicine. Im still debating whether or not its personally worth it. Its meaningless to me now in my established practice (which is probably why the OSU/Mayo docs wont do it), but it would come in handy in the future if I ever decide to move.
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
- Messages
- 296
- Reaction score
- 1
Like Ludicolo said, there are some neurophysiology fellowships that will take physiatrists. More than you'd think, actually. If you're interested in going that route, just call up the neurophys programs listed on Freida and ask them if they'd accept a physiatrist. Applications tend to be due very early though.
Ohio St. Univ Dept of Neurology took a PMR grad (we completed our PMR residency together at the University of Louisville in 2008) this past year for their neuromuscular fellowship. They must have thought he did a good job because they asked him to stay (as an attending). Hopefully, this will open some doors for other PMR grads.
As a side note, he loved every minute of his fellowship at OSU. Every one of the neurology attendings and residents treated him with respect and were very appreciative of the different perspective (PMR) he was able to bring. He would call me every week or two with some odd, off-the-wall diagnosis that he had just made. It's a great motivator to associate with someone who really loves what they do.
As a side note, he loved every minute of his fellowship at OSU. Every one of the neurology attendings and residents treated him with respect and were very appreciative of the different perspective (PMR) he was able to bring. He would call me every week or two with some odd, off-the-wall diagnosis that he had just made. It's a great motivator to associate with someone who really loves what they do.
