Abstracts

Rationale: Exposure to EEG is one of the essential learning components of neurology residency program. However, there is no specific minimal requirement of EEG exposure assigned by ACGME or the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for neurology residency training. Typically, neurology residents spend 1 to 3 months in learning EEG during their training. Despite the fact that many hospital credential processes require specific number of EEG reading experiences, it is not clear how much of experience is sufficient for such credentialing. We conducted the study to evaluate the EEG experience for neurology residents during their training. Methods: We reviewed all electroencephalogram reports that were performed at the Barrow Neurological Institute from January 1 to December 31, 2009. The reports were then identified whether they were dictated by rotating residents under attending physicians supervision. These reports were reviewed to collect patient demographics, indications for obtaining EEG, and findings of specific abnormalities. Results: 6403 electroencephalograms were performed at the Barrow Neurological Institute from January 1 to December 31, 2009. 378 EEG s were read and dictated by neurology residents under qualified electroencephalographers (average of 29.08 EEGs per resident per each rotation of 4-week block). There were 175 male and 203 female patients, and consisted of 3 neonatal EEGs (age 0-1 month), 9 infants (age 1-12 months), 24 toddlers (aged 1-3 years), 65 pediatrics (age 3-9 years), 68 adolescents (age 9-16 years), 162 adults (age 16-65), and 47 geriatric EEGs (age >65 years). Most EEGs were performed to evaluate possible seizure disorders (260), followed by transient neurological deficits (34), encephalopathy (29), syncope (20), memory problems (14), headache (5), developmental disorders (5), behavioral disorders (3), and brain death (2). Out of 378 EEGs, 207 were normal and remaining 171 were abnormal. The abnormalities of EEG included diffuse background slowing (96), focal epileptiform discharges (61), focal slowing (58), generalized epileptiform discharges (22), discrete ictal patterns (17), multifocal epileptiform discharges (11), breach rhythm (9), intermittent rhythmic delta activities (7), periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (5). Conclusions: Since many hospital credentialing requires approximately 100 EEG reading experiences, neurology resident may have to spend 3 to 4 months on EEG rotation in order to be eligible for credentialing without fellowship training. However, our data indicates that neurology residents are exposed to a wide range of EEG abnormalities and normal EEG patterns.