Neurology Clerkship
The UCLA Neurology Clerkship is partnered with the Psychiatry Clerkship to enhance students’ understanding of the interplay between brain and behavior and to introduce current clinical applications of modern neuroscience. The Clerkship is comprised of a 4-week clinical Neurology rotation preceding or following a 4-week clinical Psychiatry rotation. We hope students will enjoy their time spent with us in Neurology and develop a sound, fundamental base in clinical Neurology for future reference in whatever specialty they may choose as a career.
Primary Goals of the 3rd Year Neurology Clerkship
- Gain competence in taking a neurologic history and performing a neurologic exam, and use them to aid in localization and diagnosis of neurologic disease
- Develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to assess, diagnose, and refer patients presenting in the primary care setting with neurologic complaints
- Have the opportunity to explore the field of neurology as a potential career path through exposure to a variety of complaints and diagnoses through patient encounters and case-based didactics
Structure and Required Activities
Students spend four weeks on their clinical neurology rotation at one of five sites: Ronald Reagan University Medical Center (Westwood), West Los Angeles VA, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. During that time, they are expected to participate fully as a member of their assigned team in both inpatient and outpatient settings, performing neurologic examinations and assessments on patients, presenting the patients to their residents and attendings, discussing diagnosis and management principles, and writing daily progress notes.
In addition, students enrich their participation in other aspects of clinical neurology by attending site specific lectures and seminars, performing two nights of long call and two weekend days on service over the course of the four week rotation. Didactics include case-based small group discussions interspersed through the clerkship. The NBME Neurology Shelf Exam must be completed at the end of the rotation.
Supplemental Clerkship Resources
- American Academy of Neurology’s NeuroSAE Medical Student Edition. This is a practice exam designed for medical students on Neurology clerkships who are preparing to take the NBME Neurology Shelf examination. This set of practice questions is provided free of charge by DGSOM.
- Online resources posted on UCLA Box and Gryphon. Online resources, previous lectures and teaching sessions are posted on UCLA BOX and Gryphon for student’s self-directed learning. They can be reviewed at any time over the course of the clerkship and are meant to supplement your study plan and preparation for Casebook discussions, clinical duties and Shelf preparation. The suggested text is: Lange Clinical Neurology.
Student Resources
Neurology Elective Rotations: 4th Year Medical Students
Three-week Neurology elective rotations are available for DGSOM students as well as visiting students.
- RRUMC Neurology Sub-Internship: Stroke Neurology Inpatient Service
- Harbor-UCLA Neurology Elective
- Cedars-Sinai Neurology Sub-Internship
- California Rehabilitation Institute: Neurorehabilitation elective
Diversity in Training Scholarship Program
Visiting Students
- Visiting students must apply using the central application system: VSAS
