FAQs
Why should I choose Utah’s neurology program above others?
Because we are the only hospital in the intermountain west which houses in-patient neurology and neurosurgical critical care, we attract complex and unusual cases to fill our service. Because of this unique patient pool, our residents see disorders that others may only ever read about. However, not only do our residents get the opportunity to see these disorders, they also have time to read about them. A second reason is our amazing faculty crossing most subspecialties within neurology. Our department has numerous young and well-respected researchers and clinicians who ensure that our residents are always on the cutting edge of treatment and research. Interspersed with these young faculty members are well-seasoned pillars of neurology who actively participate in the teaching of residents, and last, for balance. Our program is mid-sized, yet we have an incredibly large catchment area by which we draw our patient base. This program maintains this balance, allowing one to solidify clinical knowledge with reading. And, we’d like to think that this balance extends into other arenas, such as maintaining the balance between work and personal life . . . because it’s simply part of being healthy, and that’s what we’re about.
Does every interviewee in neurology get placed on the rank list?
When individuals have met admission criteria for neurology residency and have submitted all necessary documentation, then they are granted a personal interview. However, based upon the applicant pool each year, we cannot guarantee that all individuals who interview at our program will be ranked.
If I am granted an interview, may my spouse/significant other come too?
Absolutely. We realize that many neurology residency applicants will ultimately be moving to a new city with a significant other/spouse. Their input into the residency selection decision-making process is important. If you have a spouse/significant other who wish to know more about our community, job opportunities, etc, please let us know prior to your interview, and we shall attempt to facilitate any contacts or meetings for the day of your interview.
Can an IMG applicant apply for neurology residency at the University of Utah?
Yes. Every year we receive numerous applications from IMGs with J1 visas and we have had applicants with J1 visas successfully match. Note: The institution sponsors only a J1 visa. Those IMGs who do not currently hold a J1 visa but are willing to obtain one if they match with us must complete a J1 Visa Agreement as a part of their application for residency.
If I match in neurology at the University of Utah, am I guaranteed a position in Internal Medicine for a preliminary year, and if so, do I need to apply to the regular match for a preliminary spot?
Four PGY1 positions are available to applicants matching with our program,provided they meet criteria for Internal Medicine residency.
If you wish to be considered for a PGY1 position at Utah REGARDLESS of whether you match with Neurology at Utah, you must apply separately to the Internal Medicine residency program. For specific Internal Medicine application information, please contact the Internal Medicine Housestaff office at 801-581-7899 or visit their website at www.int.med.utah.edu. Please contact the Department of Neurology if you have unanswered questions, at neuro.residency@hsc.utah.edu, or call us at 801-585-5405.
Does your program have a couple's match?
As of this year, neurology does participate in the couple's match program. Previously, as an early match program, a couple's match was not possible.
Is this program accredited through the ACGME?
Yes! We are happy to inform you that both the adult and pediatric neurology residency programs at the University of Utah underwent a site visit in August 2005 for ACGME re-accreditation. We were granted the maximum amount of time between site visits, and hence our programs are accredited through the year 2011.
What is the on-call schedule like?
University Hospital: Last year, we reorganized our on-call schedule so that only neurology residents provide night-time coverage at University Hospital. In order to accomplish this goal, we placed all of our neurology residents in an on-call pool. Neurology residents now take in-house call at University Hospital from 17:00-08:00 on a rotating basis. During daytime hours, non-neurology residents rotating on our service (such as internal medicine, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, psychiatry) take in-house call from 08:00-17:00. The on-call pool includes all residents except for any rotating at Primary Children's Hospital. Residents cover only one hospital when on call. When at University Hospital, their call is in-house. At the beginning of the PGY-2 year, residents may not feel comfortable with their neurological knowledge. Hence, PGY-2 residents receive direct supervision when covering in-house call by a senior neurology resident (PGY-3 and PGY-4) for all floor and ER consults, admissions, and critical care issues on the floor and in the neuro-ICU. As PGY-2 residents gain experience and confidence, direct supervision by senior neurology residents is decreased.
Veterans Administration Hospital: Neurology residents rotating at the VA Hospital are on call during the daytime (08:00-17:00). During a neurology resident's VA ward rotation, they occasionally take night call from home. Most night call at the VA is provided by non-neurology residents rotating on our service (internal medicine, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, psychiatry).
Primary Children's Medical Center: Adult neurology residents rotating through pediatric neurology at PCMC share call with the pediatric neurology resident. Residents average every other night on call from home. Rarely, residents are called into the hospital after hours, given that the pediatric neurology service is largely (but not exclusively) consultative.
As with all of the sites where we provide coverage, a neurology attending is ALWAYS available to staff consults and admissions, and to answer questions. Neurology attendings are also expected to provide back-up coverage when residents are in need of assistance.
Is being on call difficult in neurology residency?
The neurology residency is bottom weighted, meaning that more call is taken during the PGY2 year (first year of neurology residency) when compared to the PGY4 year (last year of neurology residency). Currently, in-house call is required for the junior resident (PGY2) at the University Hospital seven to nine nights per month for 4 months, and from home when at the SL-VAH every 2 nights for 4 months. Senior level residents (PGY3 and PGY4) are on call from home once every seven days, as well as one weekend every seven weeks. When on call, junior residents cover only one hospital, and senior residents cover two hospitals (University Hospital and the VA hospital). Experience is gained in performing lumbar punctures, reading scans, and managing neuro-critical care patients. Because we maintain the highest standard of care for our patients, all consults and admissions after hours are seen by both junior residents, as well as senior neurology residents.
Is research required within neurology residency?
Research is not required during neurology residency, though is strongly encouraged. Because most neurology faculty are actively involved in either basic science or clinical research, it is always possible for residents to step into an on-going research project. Elective time during the PGY3 and PGY4 years may be devoted toward research, grant writing, or journal publication.
Does this program comply with the ACGME Work Hour Regulation policy?
Yes. The ACGME mandated that all ACGME-accredited residencies adhere to a maximum 80-hour work week as of July, 2003, to ensure patient safety, as well as resident well-being. Our department strongly supports this edict, and requires that all residents submit monthly work hour logs to document compliance. These logs are reviewed monthly by the assistant program director to ensure that compliance is met with this policy.
How is a neurology resident’s performance evaluated?
Resident performance is evaluated at the end of each month’s rotation. Feedback concerning performance is provided to the resident directly, on an informal basis, by the attending with whom the resident worked. Residents also meet on an individual basis twice yearly with the department chair, the program director, and/or the program assistant director for review of overall performance and specific areas of strength or areas needing more effort. Each resident is also encouraged to meet with his or her advisor to review issues of performance and plans for future elective rotations or areas of study. In addition, residents are also evaluated by their peers with whom they work on a monthly basis.
How does the residency prepare one for the ABPN Part I (written examination)?
A practical goal of the neurology training program is to prepare each resident to achieve certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The certification examination process consists of a written examination (ABPN Part I) and an oral examination (ABPN Part II). We assist residents in preparing for this examination process by administering the Residency In-Service Training Examination (RITE) each spring. This is similar to the written board examination, and helps the resident organize their study program towards board certification. Resident performance on the examination is reviewed on a confidential basis with the resident. Completion of the RITE is requisite for promotion to subsequent years in residency, though the results of the exam are confidential, and thus are not factored into resident performance evaluations
How does the residency prepare one for the ABPN Part II (oral examination)?
We hold a Mock Oral Examination at the end of each academic year. This examination is modified from that conducted by the ABPN for logistics, though is nonetheless designed to simulate the live patient exam, pediatric and adult vignettes, as well as emergent neurologic scenarios. Consistent with the RITE examination, completion of the Mock Oral Examination is requisite for successful promotion to subsequent years of residency, though the results of the exam are confidential and are not factored into resident performance evaluations.
Can I lead a normal life outside residency?
Absolutely! While residency can place seemingly never-ending demands upon individuals, thus causing stress to build, a healthy balance between work and leisure activity is necessary to ensure the well-being of our residents. One of the biggest “unknowns” for medical students applying to residency is the uncertainty of what life will be like once July 1st arrives. At the University of Utah, we adhere strongly to the ACGME 80-hour work week, ensuring that residents may have time to enjoy time with family and friends. Our residents and staff at the University of Utah are fortunate to have four-season outdoor activities immediately accessible given our close proximity to the canyons and mountains. When we are at work, we work hard, but when that’s over, we know that we have a big back yard to explore, and we each try to take every advantage of it. Resident ski days and snow-shoeing on weekends are orchestrated during winter months; mountain biking, canyon hiking, and rock climbing are often planned by groups of residents and staff during the spring, summer, and fall months. Amidst these more active sports are opportunities to visit our ballet, symphony, the Sundance Film Festival, internationally renowned jazz and blues festivals, and spectator sports such as Jazz basketball, and Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
Is Salt Lake City a good place to raise a family?
Yes. The state of Utah has the highest per capita birth rate in the nation, and most of this population lives along the Wasatch Front. One of the best ways to keep children happy is to capitalize on the great outdoors, and hence places such as the Lagoon Amusement Park, the Utah Fun Dome, the Sports Park, the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park, Raging Waters, Huck Finn Days at Historic Wheeler Park, and many others are busy throughout the year. Day care centers can be found everywhere and anywhere, including gyms, corporate centers, and day spas. For inquiries regarding educational facilities for children, please contact the academic coordinator at neuro.residency@hsc.utah.edu.
Does Salt Lake City have a diverse culture?
Yes. Salt Lake City has experienced significant growth since the early 1990's, when an influx of businesses brought wealth, jobs, and of course, people (a large percentage of whom were from the west coast). And, with the announcement of Salt Lake City as host for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the world discovered what Utah has to offer, attracting people from all parts of the world. Since that time, local ethnic communities have grown, and continue to do so. We hold a very large population from the South Pacific islands, a sizable community from the Pacific Rim (Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam), as well as a thriving Hispanic culture.
How might I find a place of worship for my family?
For a complete listing of places of worship for all denominations, please visit this website.
My spouse/significant other has a career. How might I find out about job opportunities for him/her?
As many residency applicants will be moving with either a spouse/significant other, we strive to ensure that (s)he has the opportunities to find out about potential job opportunities within Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. In attempt to facilitate job opportunities, and to ensure that appropriate contacts are made, our department has set up a committee to assist in this endeavor. When you schedule your interview, simply let Carol Wall know about your spouse/significant others' job interests, and we shall attempt to establish some contacts for your trip out here.
