Resident Mentoring and Evaluations

Mentorship Program

During G-1 or G-2 residents can select a faculty of their choice to become their mentor throughout their training and with whom they can discuss their career goals, follow progress during residency and if desired pursue common research interests. Oftentimes mentors are in the subspecialty field-of-interest of the residents. However, since career interests can change with increased exposure to other subspecialty fields, this is not a binding relationship for the residents. While the program requires that residents meet at least three times a year with their mentors, it is often the case that residents develop a closer relationship with their mentors leading to more frequent interactions.

Junior-Senior Partnership

New to the 2011-2012 academic year, G-1 and G-3 residents are paired to create a 2 year partnership. This system promotes interactions between upperclassmen and G-1 residents and gives the G-1 residents an opportunity to seek guidance from peers on how to approach rotations, selecting electives, time management, presentation preparation, etc...

RITE exam (UMMC, once a year, early Spring)

The AAN compiles the RITE® (Residency In-service Training Exam) which is “a self- assessment tool designed to gauge knowledge of neurology and neuroscience, identify areas for potential growth, and provide references and discussions for each. The RITE is not designed to be a certifying or qualifying examination, and its use in that manner is vigorously discouraged by the AAN.” This exam has proven invaluable to residents and program director alike, in obtaining timely feedback on a resident’s progress on knowledge base, allowing for a perfect passing rate at the ABPN over the past 6 years.

Conference presentations

Residents are expected to give several conference presentations during their residency. The main goal of such activities is to provide the resident with knowledge while preparing a topic for presentation, obtaining confidence in presenting in front of an audience and improving teaching skills. The quality of each presentation is evaluated formally and informally by faculty and other residents providing feedback for improvement.

End-of-rotation evaluations

Through the RMS system residents are provided with formal evaluations by faculty on a rotation-by-rotation basis on all core competencies mandated by the ACGME. Comments highlight a resident’s unique strengths and weaknesses in an effort to improve the quality of our residents.

Semi-annual evaluations with program director

Every six months the program director meets with each resident on a one-to-one basis and provides feedback on the resident’s progress during the past six months. Strengths and weaknesses are discussed and strategies for improvement and growth are identified.

OSCE (UMMC, one Friday afternoon in May)

Residents are examined by faculty one on one using videos, radiologic images, EEGs, and case vignettes. This is meant to be both educational and evaluative, and provides valuable feedback to the program and the individual resident.

Visiting Professor Rounds/Graduation Exercises (UMMC, second Friday and Saturday in June)

On Friday afternoon, following a general lecture by the visiting professor, neurology residents present interesting clinical cases for discussion. The following Saturday morning the annual resident graduation/education symposium is held. At this event, each resident presents the results of his/her research project for the year. This symposium is attended by faculty from all of the facilities. Saturday evening, a general departmental dinner reception is held at a campus location, honoring the graduates from the residency and fellowship programs and bestowing a number of awards. Residents showcase their artistic talents during this event with readings, skits, slide shows, live music, and the like.