Overview
The goal of the University of Arizona – Phoenix Epilepsy Fellowship program is to train fellows to become knowledgeable and skilled epilepsy specialists in all aspects of adult and pediatric patient care. While focusing on developing expertise in diagnosis, treatment, and EEG interpretation through ample clinical exposures and didactics, the program also fosters research interests and supports career development. The program aims to elevate and improve epilepsy care in the community we serve. Through practice-based learning, didactic lectures, and conferences, fellows are prepared for successful completion of ABPN subspecialty certification in epilepsy.
Skills and Competencies
During the fellowship, the fellow will acquire essential knowledge in epilepsy diagnosis and treatment. This includes competencies in the pathophysiology of epileptogenesis, prognosis, pharmacology, epilepsy surgery, interpretation of neuroimaging and EEG studies, and genetics in epilepsy. At the end of the fellowship, the fellow will be able to independently interview and examine epilepsy patients in a comprehensive manner, generate differential diagnoses, and provide medical and surgical investigations to proceed with appropriate treatment. The fellow should be able to discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacologic treatment options, comorbidities, and prognosis in epilepsy and seizure-related disorders. In addition, the fellow competently performs diagnostic testing in epilepsy, including the review and reporting of routine EEGs, video-EEG monitoring, intracranial monitoring, including SEEG, Wada testing, and electrical stimulation mapping.
Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU)
The EMU is located at Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix, with NAEC level 4 accreditation, and has eight dedicated rooms with hardwired video-EEG equipment. A separate reading room is used for review and interpretation of the studies. A faculty member is assigned each week to supervise the fellow during the rotation, with daily rounding and interpretation of EEG. During the rotation, fellows will oversee the admission of patients to the EMU and review the associated video-EEG studies. During this month, fellows will attend the epilepsy clinic at the BUMCP ambulatory neuroscience clinic up to two afternoons. Supervising faculty will evaluate each fellow quarterly (using the New Innovations website) as well as provide verbal feedback throughout the rotation. Fellows are expected to attend the weekly epilepsy surgery conference and discuss their patients with potential for epilepsy surgery.
Long-Term Monitoring and ICU EEG
The continuous EEG studies are performed at Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix on the hospital wards or in the critical care units. Studies are reviewed from the EEG Reading Station. During this rotation, fellows will be responsible for overseeing all inpatient long-term bedside monitoring EEG studies outside of the EMU and for rendering treatment recommendations under the supervision of board-certified epilepsy faculty. Supervising faculty will evaluate each fellow quarterly (using the New Innovations website) as well as provide verbal feedback throughout the rotation.
Ambulatory Epilepsy Clinic
The ambulatory epilepsy clinic is located at Banner University Medical Center – Phoenix Neuroscience Clinic and has 26 examination rooms, patient consultation rooms, and a large workroom for fellows and other trainees with assigned computers, storage, and a phone. At least one epilepsy faculty member is assigned each week to supervise the fellow during the rotation, with daily interaction and case-based learning. Supervising faculty will evaluate each fellow quarterly (using the New Innovations website) as well as provide verbal feedback throughout the rotation. Fellows are expected to attend the weekly epilepsy surgery conference and discuss their patients with potential for epilepsy surgery.
Pediatric Epilepsy
Pediatric epilepsy care is located at Banner Cardon Children’s Hospital within Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. The children’s hospital has 248 beds and 11 rooms in the pediatric neurology clinic. Fellows will be working under the supervision of pediatric epileptologists in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The goals of the rotation include hands-on experience with evaluating pediatric patients 0-19 years of age and interpretation of EEG studies.