American University of Beirut

​​The epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology fellowship program is designed to provide training in the management of patients suffering from epilepsy to neurologists from Lebanon and the Middle East region

Goals and Objectives

At the end of the fellowship training, the graduate is expected to be familiar with the various electroclinical syndromes in childhood, adolescents and adulthood, be proficient in the medical and presurgical management of patients with epilepsy and be able to perform and interpret the various electrophysiological tests that pertain to patients with epilepsy. 

The fellowship training period is for two years and a total of three positions are available to physicians who completed residency training in adult or pediatric neurology. 

In addition to the expectations referred to above the training program requires fellows demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

• Patients care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of patients suffering from epilepsy
  
• Knowledge about established and evolving neurophysiological tests and the appropriate application of knowledge to patients suffering from epilepsy
  
• Practice based learning that involves investigation and evaluation of patients care, appraisal and assimilation of scientific evidence, and improvement in patients' care
  
• Appropriate interpersonal and communication skills that will result in effective information exchange with patients, their families, and other health professionals
  
• Professionalism, as manifested through commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles and sensitivity to diverse patients' population
  
• System based practice, as manifested by actions that demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value 
  

Curiculum:

The Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Program is a two year fellowship program that includes supervised clinical training in:

• Clinical assessment of paroxysmal spells
  
• Electroclinical syndrome classification
  
• Routine adult, pediatric and neonatal EEG interpretation
  
• Presurgical clinical evaluation of adult and pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy
  
• Diagnostic and presurgical video-EEG longterm monitoring
  
• Invasive longterm monitoring
  
• WADA testing and interpretation of results
  
• Language and motor mapping
  
• Intraoperative electrocorticography
  
• Epilepsy protocol MRI interpretation
  
• Ictal and interictal SPECT interpretation 
  

Rotation:

During their training the fellows are expected to regularly perform the following:

• Assess patients in the OPD epilepsy clinic, then finalize these patients with the attending physician
  
• Attend the epilepsy outpatient clinic:  Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Thursday PM
  
• Evaluate all adult and pediatric epilepsy inpatient consultations and staff with the attending physician
  
• Evaluate all emergency room adult and pediatric epilepsy consultations and staff with the attending physician
  
• Evaluate all patients admitted to the adult and pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit with the attending physician
  
• Document admission note on all patients admitted to the EMU within 24 hours of admission
  
• Attend all journal club presentations and other educational activity pertaining to the epilepsy program
  
• Attend the multidisciplinary epilepsy surgery conferences to learn the comprehensive aspects of epilepsy care.  
  

Applicant eligibility

The candidate should have successfully completed a 3 year adult or pediatric neurology training program in a structured residency program.  In case the candidate is not graduate of the American University of Beirut adult or pediatric neurology residency program he/she is also required to pass an English examination (TOFEL, EEE and IELTS). 

Application process

Each year one or two fellows will be accepted to the Epilepsy & Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship Program, so that the total number of fellows does not exceed three at any given time.  The applicant should submit an application to the Graduate Medical Education Office with the required documentation:

• An authenticated copy of medical school diploma.
  
• A recent Passport size colored photograph of the applicant.
  
• An official medical school transcript[s], impressed with original medical school seal[s].
  
• A Copy of a valid Identification Card and /or passport.
  
• A Curriculum Vita prepared within three months of the application.
  
• A minimum of three letters of reference from faculty members from the Medical School from which the student graduated or worked as an intern. These letters of reference must be written in English or be accompanied by certified translations.
  

For more information, kindly visit the Graduate Medical Education (GME) website.