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 specialty 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 specialty 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 core 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 Part 1 (Full MRCP from August 2011) 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 specialty permits a more sensible balance between work and outside interests than most other specialties. At present there are excellent recruitment opportunities for those interested in joining the specialty.
Further information about training can be obtained from the Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) in Clinical Neurophysiology or the President of the Association of British Trainee Clinical Neurophysiologists (please contact the JRCPTB for details).
Competence Based Curricula and Assessment - StRs (for trainees who commenced training from 1 August 2007 to present)
There are two versions of curricula for this training period:
StRs who commenced training between 1st August 2007 and 3rd August 2010 will follow the 2007 version of their specialty curriculum and the 2007 Generic curriculum. Please see the 2007 Curriculum section of this webpage.
StRs who commenced training from 4th August 2010 onwards will use the 2010 version of their specialty curriculum. There is no need to follow the previously known ‘Generic curriculum' as this has now been embedded into the specialty curriculum. Please see the 2010 Curriculum section of this webpage.
The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) is pleased to announce the 2010 Clinical Neurophysiology curriculum which has been reviewed and rewritten to:
This new curriculum has improved content, design and usability compared to its predecessors, and reflects a great deal of hard work and time expended by specialty curriculum groups. This curriculum will become the training manual for all trainees entering ST3 from 4th August 2010.
For further information on the 2010 curriculum it is recommended that you read the Quick Start Curriculum Guide.
If you have any queries or problems regarding the 2010 curriculum please email ptb@jrcptb.org.uk.
Core Training Programmes
Entry into Clinical Neurophysiology training is possible following successful completion of both a foundation programme and a core training programme.
There are 3 core training programmes for Clinical Neurophysiology training:
Assessment
The following methods are used as part of the integrated assessment system:
- Knowledge Based Assessment - The small size of the specialty means that it is not feasible to run a full specialty certificate examination to assess knowledge. The specialty is currently planning to pilot a formative knowledge-based assessment method and, if successful, it is intended that this method will be used in the future - details to follow.
- Workplace-based assessments
The assessment blueprint, which is embedded in the clinical syllabus, shows the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competencies in the curriculum. Trainees and trainers should refer to the blueprint 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 ARCP Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competencies will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competencies within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.
The diagram below describes the training pathway:
Please view the 2010 curriculum for Clinical Neurophysiology for full details on the training routes and selection criteria.
Entry into Clinical Neurophysiology training is possible following successful completion of both a Foundation Programme and a core training programme.
Please view the 2007 curriculum for Clinical Neurophysiology for full details on the training routes and selection criteria.
Assessment
The assessment blueprints show the possible methods that can be used to assess each of the competencies 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 ARCP/RITA Decision Aid. It is not expected that all competencies will be assessed by all methods, rather that there will be a sampling of competencies within a variety of settings, both within formal and workplace-based assessment, from which overall competence acquisition has to be determined.
Further information on the various methods of assessment can be viewed in the Assessment section of this website.
The diagram below describes the training pathways in general terms.
Competence Based Curricula - SpR (for trainees who commenced training between 1 Jan 2003 and 31 July 2007)
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 - SpR (for trainees who commenced training before 1 Jan 2003)
The curricula for trainees enrolling pre 01/01/03 are no longer available on the website but can be obtained by request to ptb@jrcptb.org.uk
Current members of the Clinical Neurophysiology Specialist Advisory Committee. Please contact the
Committee Manager for further details.