UTSW - Austin

[95439]

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[clement]

I hope I'm allowed to do this (typhoon, feel free to delete if not), but I wanted to promote the program I'm going to next year and advertise to strong neurology applicants who may not have considered it yet. UTSW-Austin is really a great program!!
I interviewed at ALOT of places lol (check last years posts if you don't believe me), and went all over the country (LA, SD, NYC, DC, FL, NC, GA, OH, AZ, etc). Austin was my favorite city by far. It's the 2nd fastest growing city in the United States per Money Magazine, is the live music capital of the world, and is a very progressive, up and coming city. It's beautiful, and the people there are unbelievably friendly.
The program is fairly new, but the director is an extremely friendly, intelligent, Harvard grad. The hospital's nurses have won numerous awards for their service, Brackenridge hospital is a certified stroke center, and it's a neurology dedicated institution. My only concern was if there would be ample opportunities for research, but now that the program is officially 'UTSW', and affiliated with the program in Dallas, that shouldn't be a concern. You don't get crushed by a ridiculously heavy workload, so there's time to study and enjoy the city. My rank list was approximately 20 schools (all mid/upper tier neurology residencies), and UTSW-Austin was my 2nd choice.
If you recognize me as someone who tells the truth on here, hopefully you respect my opinion. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions about the program and hopefully you'll consider it for your neurology residency if you're a strong candidate. I can't wait to start there next year!!!

I guess this is a question that applies to Austin as well as all other advanced programs...A lot of the advanced programs are in great locations and offer solid training, a consequence of which might be that their institutions are so solid even their IM depts don't have guaranteed room for anyone.

The vibe I get from some advanced programs that "virtually" guarantee you a prelim spot (with separate interviews) is that it's still not a 100% guarantee at some of these places.

I know that I'm not just speaking for myself when I say the prelim thing is REALLY frightening. I'm almost willing to rank my "back up specialty" over advanced programs with the fear of not matching or scrambling (admittedly, the scramble might be something lots of us are in denial of and therefore not fully educated about = fear). What made you rank Austin (or any advanced program for that matter) over any categoricals which were in, say, slightly less desirable cities or perceived as being less desirable training-wise? Why'd you risk it?

 

[95439]

I guess this is a question that applies to Austin as well as all other advanced programs...A lot of the advanced programs are in great locations and offer solid training, a consequence of which might be that their institutions are so solid even their IM depts don't have guaranteed room for anyone.

The vibe I get from some advanced programs that "virtually" guarantee you a prelim spot (with separate interviews) is that it's still not a 100% guarantee at some of these places.

I know that I'm not just speaking for myself when I say the prelim thing is REALLY frightening. I'm almost willing to rank my "back up specialty" over advanced programs with the fear of not matching or scrambling (admittedly, the scramble might be something lots of us are in denial of and therefore not fully educated about = fear). What made you rank Austin (or any advanced program for that matter) over any categoricals which were in, say, slightly less desirable cities or perceived as being less desirable training-wise? Why'd you risk it?

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[neuropathology]

I had a few questions/concerns too about the program, besides the one already mentioned (being advanced program). I wanted to see what your take on these things was:

1) There are no fellowships offered (at least so far).

2) Relatively new residency program (started I believe in 2007 or 2008). There are usually kinks to sort out, and adjustments to be made in a newer program.

3) The size of faculty (only 9 total). I know you might have 1 on 1 with faculty, but it seems that having only 9 faculty would be a limiting factor in some ways.

4) Research opportunities

I am not bad-mouthing the program at all, because I really think that if UTSW has taken over this program, it is bound to become a top program in TX in few years. Also, from the friends that interviewed there last year, they had positive things to say about the program. What concerns me is the above issues. Would appreciate if you can address some of these issues? When do they offer interivews? It seems no one has heard from the program yet...

 

[95439]

I had a few questions/concerns too about the program, besides the one already mentioned (being advanced program). I wanted to see what your take on these things was:

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[coup de chance]

Yeah they have sent out interview invites already. I just got one (will update it and others on the official thread later.)

 

[95439]

I hope I'm allowed to do this (typhoon, feel free to delete if not), but I wanted to promote the program I'm going to next year and advertise to strong neurology applicants who may not have considered it yet. UTSW-Austin is really a great program!!
I interviewed at ALOT of places lol (check last years posts if you don't believe me), and went all over the country (LA, SD, NYC, DC, FL, NC, GA, OH, AZ, etc). Austin was my favorite city by far. It's the 2nd fastest growing city in the United States per Money Magazine, is the live music capital of the world, and is a very progressive, up and coming city. It's beautiful, and the people there are unbelievably friendly.
The program is fairly new, but the director is an extremely friendly, intelligent, Mayo clinic grad. The hospital's nurses have won numerous awards for their service, Brackenridge hospital is a certified stroke center, and it's a neurology dedicated institution. My only concern was if there would be ample opportunities for research, but now that the program is officially 'UTSW', and affiliated with the program in Dallas, that shouldn't be a concern. You don't get crushed by a ridiculously heavy workload, so there's time to study and enjoy the city. My rank list was approximately 20 schools (all mid/upper tier neurology residencies), and UTSW-Austin was my 2nd choice.
If you recognize me as someone who tells the truth on here, hopefully you respect my opinion. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions about the program and hopefully you'll consider it for your neurology residency if you're a strong candidate. I can't wait to start there next year!!!

Hey guys, I wanted to bump this thread up for the new interview year.
I did my intern year at another hospital in a different city, and really did not have the best experience. UTSW-Austin is the exact opposite. The hospital is SUCH a friendly environment, extremely non-malignant, and neurology is respected and promoted.
Of the concerns I listed in the above post, before arriving, was the possible lack of research. I don't want to give specifics on here, but I've been able to obtain two amazing projects so far, and we just linked with UT's Neuroscience department so there are now various projects to choose from.
The fellowship opportunities are numerous, the patient pathology is extremely diverse (Neurocysticercosis, Tolosa-Hunt, Stiff-Man syndrome, Statin-Induced Myopathy, and much more). I couldn't have been happier with my decision. I don't believe there is a more enjoyable, quality neurology program in the US.
Probably the best thing about the program is the number of EEG's and EMG's you get to do as a resident. In one rotation, a resident had the opportunity to read 65 EEG's (which is on the average). And you get 3 EEG rotations if you'd like. Basically, you can become boarded before you leave residency.

If you're interested in coming to a program that helps you reach your goals, while enjoying yourself along the way (a rarity in residency), I hope you'll consider UTSW Austin!!. (and for the record we have alot of applicants already and don't need more, but I met an amazing applicant on here last year who joined the program and I'd like to do the same this year).

Typhoon - I hope it's ok to promote my program on here...please let me know and I'll delete this post if not.

Regardless of your decision, good luck in the interview process. It really is a great experience to see the country and see where you would like to go after surviving medschool!

~bblue

 

[Fencer]

I like the UTSW-Austin program very much. I seen it very close as I considered moving there at one point. Although there is a lot of potential and excitement, let me balance that with two points:

• IMHO call from home is not as formative as inpatient call.
• Research opportunities are not as well developed as other most other TX programs [i.e.: NIH funding by clinical teaching faculty].

I have interviewed graduates from this program, and they seem solid clinical neurologists.

You can not get boarded on reading EEGs by reading EEGs during your residency.

 

[95439]

I like the UTSW-Austin program very much. I seen it very close as I considered moving there at one point. Although there is a lot of potential and excitement, let me balance that with two points:

• IMHO call from home is not as formative as inpatient call.
• Research opportunities are not as well developed as other most other TX programs [i.e.: NIH funding by clinical teaching faculty].

I have interviewed graduates from this program, and they seem solid clinical neurologists.

You can not get boarded on reading EEGs by reading EEGs during your residency.

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[bustbones26]

Isn't it true that you can become boarded reading EEG's during your residency, just not by the ABPN? There's another thread on here that just discussed this topic...(see 'Is a Fellowship worth it'?).

And I forgot to mention how great Austin is. I've lived in LA, Santa Barbara, Pomona, Boston, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, and have family all over the world..this might be the best city I've been to, period. Great lifestyle, laid back, friendly people. Tons to do. Still the 2nd fastest growing city in the US (1st is greater Dallas Fort Worth area). It gets hot in the summer, that's my only complaint.
PM me if you want more info. (And I'll tell you it definitely helps to share your desire to join the program at the interview if you are sincerely interested in coming!)

Who needs boarded to read EEG? Its a basic part of being a neurologist. Now, I would argue that if you want to do epilepsy monitoring and obvious intracranial EEG and surgical localization, you better go out an do a good epilepsy/clinical neurophysiology fellowship.

I think you were referring to EMG. The American Board of Electrodiagnosic Medicine will allow you to sit for an exam if you have 200 EMGs under your belt. If you pass the test, you can "brag" that you are board certified in EMG. This is how physiatrist do it. Now, keep in mind that the ABEM is not on the American Board of Medical Specialties, but hey, something to hang your hat on.

Also, bear in mind that most of "boards" you take through the UCNS also are not fellowships with a true board as well.

 

[Fencer]

Isn't it true that you can become boarded reading EEG's during your residency, just not by the ABPN? There's another thread on here that just discussed this topic...(see 'Is a Fellowship worth it'?).

Dear bblue,

I happen to be a program director of an ACGME certified Clinical Neurophysiology program who has been involved with the ACNS/ABCN and the ABPN in developing board examinations for this area of expertise. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but you are mistaken... As an the post above by an attending indicated, you are thinking about EMGs and AANEM board certification. You cann't sit for American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology (ABCN) or ABPN without fellowship training to read EEGs. Studies have also shown that residency training is insufficient for proficiency in reading EEGs. In one study, the PPV of an abnormal EEG read by a not fellowship trained neurologist was close to 50% but the PPV of a normal EEG was close to 85%.

At one point not too far in our future, payers will limit who can bill for a neurophysiological study. Polysomnograms have already been limited to fellowship/boarded readers resulting in some cost containment.

Good luck on your first year of Neurology residency!

 

[neurologist]

Studies have also shown that residency training is insufficient for proficiency in reading EEGs. In one study, the PPV of an abnormal EEG read by a not fellowship trained neurologist was close to 50% but the PPV of a normal EEG was close to 85%.

Seconded. The key to learning to read any study correctly is volume, volume, volume. The volume you get during an EEG rotation in residency is nowhere near what you will get in a fellowship (nor is the variety). Residency gave me a good grounding in the basics, but I feel I became a much more proficient EEG reader with fellowship training.

 

[95439]

Dear bblue,

I happen to be a program director of an ACGME certified Clinical Neurophysiology program who has been involved with the ACNS/ABCN and the ABPN in developing board examinations for this area of expertise. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but you are mistaken... As an the post above by an attending indicated, you are thinking about EMGs and AANEM board certification. You cann't sit for American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology (ABCN) or ABPN without fellowship training to read EEGs. Studies have also shown that residency training is insufficient for proficiency in reading EEGs. In one study, the PPV of an abnormal EEG read by a not fellowship trained neurologist was close to 50% but the PPV of a normal EEG was close to 85%.

At one point not too far in our future, payers will limit who can bill for a neurophysiological study. Polysomnograms have already been limited to fellowship/boarded readers resulting in some cost containment.

Good luck on your first year of Neurology residency!

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[Mattchiavelli]

someone is stoked

 

[bustbones26]

Ok, thank you for clarifying.
However, although I was mistaken about being boarded by reading a certain amount of EEGs/EMGs during residency (which was confirmed by the Neurophysiologist at my program today), would you agree it's still an advantage to be able to read numerous EEG's and EMG's during residency? Some programs, you are not able to because the fellows read the majority. A fellow resident just read 65 EEG's in the first month of an EEG rotation.

Another point I neglected to comment on was the 'lack of official research' at UTSW. We have just linked with UT's Neuroscience program and there are numerous opportunities for research at our program. And honestly, I've done a fair deal of research and you don't need 'official' opportunities to obtain wonderful research opportunities. The best research project I've been a part of so far, I joined by speaking with an ER attending at the community hospital I did my intern year at. It turned out I will likely be presenting it at the International Stroke Conference next year.

I just want the CANDIDATES to know, that I would not be on here advertising for a program that I wasn't proud of. Even though I obtained a great research project during my intern year (on my own), I wouldn't promote that program if my life depended on it. But UTSW-Austin has been everything I hoped it would be up to this point. Again, please feel free to PM me if you are interested, or have any questions or concerns.

P.S. Interview invites have NOT been sent out yet...

I think what we can all agree on here is that not all residencies are made the same. Every program has their strengths and weaknesses. Yes, there are some programs out there that do not have neurophysiology fellows in the program, hence, you the resident can take advantage and be very top heavy on learning EMG/EEG during residency.

That being stated, you MUST know your limitations and comfort zones. I presently have no issues reading 30 minute sleep deprived EEGs in the office. On a serious note, it doesn't take a genius to read the textbook normal EEGs I see nearly everyday on inappropriate "syncope" consults to neurology. However, I do not do epilepsy monitoring. I also do not mess around with that whole get 3 sleep deprived EEG BS!! If the first EEG appears normal/equivocal, then I refer them for 96 hour EEG study to the nearby epileptologist.

Now EMG! Again, I really do not have a problem performing and interpreting the weekly textbook carpal tunnel or normal EMG studies on inappropriately referred musculoskeletal neck/back pain patients without any clinical evidence of radiculopathy. However, if I see a patient that I think has say MG, ALS, MD, I won't even think of doing EMG on them, immediate referral to neuromuscular or neurophysiologist that concentrated on EMG.