Clinical Neurophysiology

Clinical Neurophysiology offers an exciting and varied career within the neurosciences for those interested in combining considerable patient contact with technical skills. It is primarily a diagnostic speciality concerned with recording electrical activity from the nervous system to aid the diagnosis, classification and management of neurological disease. Increasingly neurophysiological techniques are used to identify surgically remediable conditions such as nerve entrapments and aid safer surgical interventions. Electroencephalography is used to classify seizure disorders and select patients for surgical amelioration of epilepsy.

The work involves interaction with a wide range of specialities, including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology and Psychiatry, and environments that include theatre and intensive care. Most Clinical Neurophysiologists work in Regional Neuroscience Centres.  As well having as general responsibilities many develop subspecialty interests, such as in the work-up of patients for epilepsy surgery, specialised neuromuscular disease or theatre work. For those with more academic interests the speciality also lends itself to clinical and basic science research.

In the UK Clinical Neurophysiology is a specialty in its own right, though with close links to Neurology. With Foundation competencies Trainees may apply to enter a run-through training scheme, normally in Medicine. After successful completion of two years of Core Medical Training (or Core Neurological Training, the Acute Common Care Stem or Core Paediatric Training) and the acquisition of MRCP or MRCPaeds interested candidates may apply for allocation into Specialty Training in Clinical Neurophysiology. Specialty Training lasts four years and is well supported regionally and nationally through the SAC and professional organisations for both Consultants and specialist registrars. With limited on-call commitments the speciality permits a more sensible balance between work and outside interests than most other specialities. At present there are excellent recruitment opportunities for those interested in joining the speciality.

Further information about training can be obtained from the Chairman of the SAC in Clinical Neurophysiology or the President of the Association of British Trainee Clinical Neurophysiologists (please contact the JRCPTB for details).

Updated Feb 07

Due to regular revisions, arising from changes in the training environment and the requirements of the PMETB, the JRCPTB are currently running various curricula for trainees in each specialty.  All relevant curricula are listed at the bottom of this page under Documents.  Use the filter option on the right-hand side, together with the guidance notes below,  to help you select the correct document.  In summary:

• If you are a run-through (Specialty Registrar [StR]) trainee, you will follow the curricula tagged as ST3+ . 

• If you are an ‘old style’ SpR, you are following the curricula tagged as SpR

• If you enrolled prior to 01/01/03, you will be following the original curricula which are no longer available for download, see note below

 
Competence Based Curricula and Assessment - StRs

PMETB has received the assessment system (blueprint and RITA/ARCP grid) for Clinical Neurophysiology and this has been approved.  

The assessment blueprints show the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competences in the curriculum. Trainees and trainers should refer to the blueprints for guidance on the appropriate assessment methods for each aspect of the curriculum, and so plan the training programme according to the criteria set by the RITA Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competences will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competences within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.

 Acute care common stem (Medicine) trainees will also follow the ACCS training manual.

Competence Based Curricula – SpR (for trainees enrolling after 1 Jan 2003)

The JCHMT introduced revised curricula for all the medical specialties together with a generic curriculum that applied to all trainees back in 2003. These are competence-based and set out the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be acquired by trainees before they may be awarded a CCT. 

Curricula (for trainees enrolling before 1 Jan 2003)