Table of Contents
- Why should I choose Utah’s neurology program?
- Does every interviewee in neurology get placed on the rank list?
- Are post-interview "second looks" available? Are "second looks" required?
- Can an IMG applicant apply for neurology residency at the University of Utah?
- If I match in neurology at the University of Utah, am I guaranteed a position in internal medicine for a preliminary year? If so, do I need to apply to the regular match for a preliminary spot?
- Does your program have a couple's match?
- Is this program accredited through the ACGME?
- What is the on-call schedule like?
- How are call duties distributed in neurology residency?
- Is research required during the neurology residency?
- Does this program comply with the ACGME work hour regulation policy?
- How is a neurology resident’s performance evaluated?
- How does the residency prepare me for the ABPN Part I (written examination)?
- Can I lead a normal life outside residency?
Why should I choose Utah’s neurology program?
The University of Utah is a large academic center in the Mountain West that houses in-patient neurology, critical care neurology, and outpatient neurology clinics. Our hospital has a catchment area comprising 10% of the land mass of the Unites States, meaning that we attract complex and unusual cases on our inpatient services and in clinic. Because of this unique patient pool, our residents see disorders that others may only ever read about.
Our program’s robust clinical experience is balanced by a robust didactic experience that includes noon conferences, grand-rounds, subspecialty conferences, and time for independent study.
Outside of work, Utah is uniquely suited to help foster balance between work and personal life with phenomenally easy access to the outdoors in addition to a vibrant cultural, sports, and food scene.
One of the most important reasons to choose our program is the faculty. Our faculty comprises faculty at all stages, ranging from junior faculty to highly experienced international experts. Our faculty covers a wide range of clinical subspecialties and professional interests encompassing research, clinical, administrative, and educational expertise. This ensures that our neurology department and residents are always on the cutting edge of treatment and research. Most importantly, our faculty is dedicated to teaching and the development of our residents.
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.
Are post interview “second looks” available? Are “second looks” required?
We recognize that the format of virtual interviews, while having significant economic and time advantages, can also introduce additional stresses, as applicants do not have the opportunity to explore the city and hospital in detail. If you are granted an interview, you may choose to visit us in person. This type of experience is NOT required and doing a second look will NOT affect your rank on our rank list. There are several options for your second look: you may do a rotation on our neurology services (subject to availability); you can round with the inpatient team and tour the hospital and clinics; or you can meet with our program leadership, residents, and have a personalized tour with our fantastic program coordinator. Essentially, we are open to whatever format works for your schedule and time as long as you give us advance notice (we require at least 2 weeks of advance notice).
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:J1 visas are sponsored through ECFMG. 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? If so, do I need to apply to the regular match for a preliminary spot?
Eight PGY1 positions are available to applicants matching with our program, provided they meet criteria for internal medicine residency.
Our program is Categorical and the preliminary year is included in you match here in Neurology. You do not need to apply with Internal Medicine separately or interview with them unless you want to apply to their program solely for a preliminary spot. For specific Internal Medicine application information, please contact the Internal Medicine Housestaff office at (801) 581-7899 or visit their website. 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?
Neurology does participate in the couple's match program.
Is this program accredited through the ACGME?
Yes! Both the adult and pediatric neurology residency programs at the University of Utah are accredited through the ACGME.
What is the on-call schedule like?
Please see the Call Schedule in the About Residency tab.
University Hospital
Over the past few years, we have made significant resident-driven changes to the on-call structure. The University Hospital neurology ward service is covered by a night-float system, ensuring that no residents will have traditional 28-hour shifts.
During weekdays, the University neurology ward team shares call from 0700-1600. The inpatient residents (ward senior, ward juniors, and consult) alternate covering short-call from 1600-1900 on weekdays and 0700-1900 on weekends.
The night float resident is on call from 1900-0700, and signs out new patients to the ward team at 0700 every morning. The night float resident has Saturday night off the first week and Sunday/Monday off the second week. The Saturday off is covered by off-service residents on an average of 1 Saturday night shift every 3-4 months.
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 management of neurological disease. Hence, PGY-2 residents initially work side-by-side with 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.
There is a graduated level of autonomy as PGY-2 residents gain experience and confidence.
Veterans Administration Hospital
Neurology residents rotating at the VA Hospital share call during the daytime (0800-1700). During a neurology resident's VA ward rotation, they take night call from home. Some nights at the VA are covered by non-neurology residents rotating on our service (internal medicine, ophthalmology, psychiatry).
Primary Children's Hospital
Adult neurology residents rotating through pediatric neurology at PCH share home call with the pediatric neurology resident. Residents average 10 calls per month 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 available to provide back-up coverage when residents need assistance.
How are call duties distributed 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, junior residents (PGY2) cover 6 weeks of night-float and senior level residents (PGY3) will cover 3-4 weeks of night-float. As the year progresses, senior residents (PGY3 and PGY4) will share more backup supervision duties. When on call, residents cover only one hospital.
Residents gain experience in managing brain attacks, performing lumbar punctures, reading scans, and managing neuro-critical care patients.
Is research required during the neurology residency?
All neurology residencies include required research. At the University of Utah, our residents are required to submit a scholarly project on a yearly basis. These projects vary in scope and time, spanning from abstracts and case reports submitted for national conferences to multiyear, Institutional Review Board (IRB) driven projects. The faculty are very invested in helping the residents research, so there is an abundance of opportunities.
Please explore our resident profiles and resident research page to see what our current residents are doing.
Does this program comply with the ACGME work hour regulation policy?
Yes. The ACGME mandates 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 rule and requires all residents to submit monthly work hour logs to document compliance. These logs are reviewed monthly by the assistant program director to ensure that compliance is met.
How is a neurology resident’s performance evaluated?
Resident performance is evaluated at the end of each month’s rotation. Attendings provide feedback about performance directly to the residents on an informal basis.
Residents also meet on an individual basis twice yearly with the department chair, the program director, and/or the program assistant director to review overall performance and specific areas of strength or areas needing more effort.
Residents are also encouraged to meet with their advisors to review performance issues and make 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 me for the ABPN Part I (written examination)?
A practical goal of every 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. In lieu of the oral portion of the board examination, five predefined competency assessments are also completed during residency.
Each year during residency, residents will sit for the Residency In-Service Training Examination (RITE). This examination is similar to the written board examination and helps the resident organize their study program towards board certification.
Residents must complete the RITE to stay in the residency program. However, the results of the exam are confidential, and therefore are not factored into resident performance evaluations.
Can I lead a normal life outside residency?
Absolutely! While residency can place seemingly never-ending demands on residents, residents need a healthy balance between work and leisure activity to stay well.
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 can have time with family and friends.
Our residents and staff at the University of Utah are fortunate to have four-season outdoor activities in Salt Lake’s close canyons and mountains. When we are at work, we work hard, but when that’s over, we know we have a big backyard to explore and we each try to take every advantage of it. The residents and faculty have been proactive in organizing monthly wellness activities for the residents and their families.
We hold resident ski days and snow-shoeing on weekends during winter months; and residents and staff often plan mountain biking, canyon hiking and rock climbing 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.