Neuro-Critical Care Curriculum

Overview of rotations

52 weeks (if a 2 year program) or 32-40 weeks (if a 1 year program and depending on prior experience) will be spent in the Neuro-ICU.
Rest of the curriculum will be spent in the following services outside of the Neuro-ICU: MICU, SICU, CVICU, Heart Failure, Anesthesiology, Bronchoscopy, Consult Services (ID, Nephrology), NeuroICU consults, EEG, TCD, Stroke, Neuroradiology, Neurosurgery, Research.
Since we train fellows who come to us with different backgrounds, the experience outside of the neuroICU will be tailored to the individual fellow’s prior exposure so as to provide them with the most optimal and comprehensive training.

The fellow will gain expertise in the clinical management of patients with disorders or injury to the brain and/or spinal cord including:

Initial resuscitation and emergency treatment/diagnostic evaluation of catastrophic neurological conditions.
Critical care management and treatment of neurological conditions.
Transitioning patients to the neurological rehabilitation phase of their treatment.
The fellow will gain knowledge and understanding of the collaborative interaction between neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, emergency medicine, and trauma surgeons.
The fellow will gain a working knowledge of the physiology and pathophysiology of catastrophic neurological conditions.
The fellow will gain expertise in engaging families and patients in challenging goals of care discussions. We place particular emphasis on the compassionate delivery of care and news.
The fellow will have the opportunity to develop their own research projects and/or contribute to existing trials. These opportunities will range from homegrown studies to multicenter trials HFH is involved in. They will find suitable mentors to assist them in their research endeavors.

The fellow is expected to:

Perform the required clinical duties during rotations including rounds with the team and other patient care related activities, participating in the daily operation of the NeuroICU, assessing patients during clinical examination and performing diagnostic procedures, radiologic and physiologic studies. Fellows will be responsible for interpretation of the data, and ultimately developing a treatment plan.
Participate as an active member of the NeuroICU team, enabling him/her to gain the essential procedural experience to provide effective critical care. The ultimate goal is for the fellow to learn how to efficiently lead the team.
Perform at least at a satisfactory level in the six core competencies of medical education in the individual rotations and on the semiannual evaluations. These include: System-Based Practice, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Professionalism, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Patient Care, and Medical Knowledge.
Attend the didactic sessions required by the fellowship curriculum and as instructed by the program director.
Take an active part in the education of residents and medical students.
Follow all the rules and regulations of the Henry Ford Hospital Graduate Medical Education.

Journal club and Morbidity & Mortality (M&M) conference: each fellow will be presenting quarterly. Fellows are encouraged to present recent pivotal or controversial articles that shape the way we practice neurocritical or general critical care.
Wednesday lectures: given weekly and provided by either NCC faculty, fellows or invited guests from other divisions. These lectures cover the basic aspects of neurocritical care.
General Critical Care (MICU and SICU) didactics: given weekly and provided through the other critical care divisions in the system.
Research Forum: given monthly and attended by faculty, fellows and residents within the Neurology department. Fellows are required to present their project and progress on their project at least annually.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) course: attendance throughout the year, provided intramurally.