Neurorehabilitation Clinical Fellowship Program Description
This is a 12-month fellowship program focusing on rehabilitation of adults with disabilities from brain and neuromuscular conditions. Training will be provided in the neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) programs within the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
This fellowship training is designed for those who have already completed specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and have completed at least a year of physiatry practice. The fellowship will require a contractual agreement with the candidate’s sponsoring agency and approval from the Postgraduate Medical Education office at UBC.
Application Information
Training Competencies:
The PMR neurorehabilitation fellowship curriculum will include training in the core components of neuromuscular rehabilitation and acquired brain injury rehabilitation, with focus on the following competencies:
- Perform a comprehensive physiatric assessment of adult patients with brain injuries, stroke, and neuromuscular conditions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, critical illness polyneuromyopathy, acute and chronic polyneuropathies, spinal cord injury) across the continuum of recovery.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive physiatric management plan, including investigations and treatment, for patients with brain injuries, stroke, and peripheral neuromuscular conditions.
- Assess and use advanced techniques and strategies for treatment of spasticity, including the use of ultrasound for chemodenervation procedures.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively to successfully work within an interdisciplinary neurorehabilitation team environment.
- Effectively lead and manage an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team both within the context of a hospital-based program and in an outpatient neurorehabilitation clinic setting. (These skills will assist the fellow in optimizing their clinic and hospital PMR practices in their home jurisdiction.)
Assessment:
Progress and performance will be assessed on a regular basis by faculty within the Division of PMR to determine proficiency in the competencies outlined above.
A variety of assessment format and tools may be used, including:
- Work-based assessments
- Formative presentations
- Oral/applied assessments
- Summative assessments
Some fellows may also choose to complete an academic project (research or quality improvement) during the fellowship.
Academic activities and collaboration
This fellowship seeks to build on the trainee’s existing PMR knowledge and skills in collaborative research, academic teaching, and implementation of interdisciplinary models of patient care. Fellowship trainees are expected to participate in divisional academic activities, such as Province Wide Rounds, Academic Half Days (with UBC PMR residents), and Journal Club. Research projects conducted during this fellowship may result in publications in peer reviewed journals.