Undergraduate Education in Neurology
Faculty members in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery are committed to providing the highest quality teaching and supervision to undergraduate students of McGill University. The focus of undergraduate neurological education at McGill is to ensure the continuity and alignment of educational experiences throughout the continuum of neurological training (from Year 1 of medical school through residency education). Pre-clinical neurological education takes place primarily at the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, whereas clinical teaching is provided at several McGill-affiliated training sites (Montreal Neurological Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal General Hospital, Jewish General Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, and Montreal Children’s Hospital).
Neurological education is offered during each of the three main components of the four-year undergraduate medical curriculum at McGill:
Fundamentals of Medicine and Dentistry (FMD)
The first 18 months of the McGill medical school curriculum are divided into 10 “blocks”. The majority of teaching in Neurology occurs in Block J “Human Behavior” in October and November of the second year of medical school. The major goals of Block J as they relate to Neurology are to are to learn the relevant clinical anatomy of the nervous system and understand how this knowledge can guide the localization and differential diagnosis of clinical problems at the bedside; to learn an organized approach to common clinical problems in Neurology; and to be confident in the performance of the neurological exam and be ready to examine patients during the TCP Neurology rotation (see below). Instruction occurs in lectures, small group teaching, and the anatomy labs.
Transition to Clinical Practice (TCP)
TCP-Neurology is a two-week, hospital-based course situated within the Comprehensive and Consultative Health block (along with Pediatrics and Family Medicine) of TCP. In TCP-Neurology, students have the opportunity during the second year of medical school to build on and apply fundamental knowledge and examination skills acquired during the Block J component of FMD to real patient problems in the clinical setting. In TCP-Neurology, specific key topics are covered at several training sites under the tutelage of faculty members from the Department of Neurology. TCP-Neurology also emphasizes the importance of developing CanMEDS competencies beyond the ‘Medical Expert’ role, and of collaborating with allied health professionals in caring for neurological patients.
Clerkship
The Department of Neurology offers an elective rotation in neurology during which third- and fourth-year students learn through direct, “hands-on” encounters with patients presenting with a wide spectrum of neurological disorders. Under the supervision of faculty members from the Department of Neurology, students are afforded the opportunity to provide care to patients admitted to a neurology ward. They independently evaluate patients in the emergency department and the intensive care unit, as well as on the various medical and surgical wards throughout the hospital, and review cases with staff just as residents do. They are also involved in evaluating neurological patients referred to our various ambulatory care clinics. Elective students are therefore accorded a great deal of responsibility, and are regarded as integral members of the neurology teams at each of the training sites. An important goal of the clerkship experience is to help students feel comfortable caring for patients with neurological problems as they transition into their roles as residents in various disciplines – including Neurology.
Medical Education
In addition to learning the fundamentals of basic and applied neurology, students at McGill also have the opportunity to develop their skills as teachers. For example, senior third and fourth year medical students with an interest in medical education can participate as small group tutors or laboratory demonstrators in Block J. Senior medical students interested in deepening their understanding of the principles of teaching, learning, assessment, and scholarship in medical education can also pursue an elective in medical education at the McGill Centre for Medical Education, where several members of the Faculty of Neurology currently hold positions.
BSc Programs in Neuroscience
McGill University offers undergraduate programs in Neuroscience, coordinated by the Departments of Biology, Physiology, and Psychology. For more information go to https://www.mcgill.ca/neuroscience/