Continuity Clinics

Neurology is not purely a consultative specialty. Short and long-term follow-up care is required of neurologists. The need for longitudinal care can be expected to increase as the demographics of the community change with progressive aging of the general population and increasing medical complexity of individual cases.

The mandate of the Continuity Clinic (CC) is to provide a longitudinal experience in a general neurology practice setting to senior neurology residents in the University of Alberta neurology residency program. The clinic will offer residents the opportunity to see undifferentiated general neurology patients similar to a general neurology outpatient practice.

The resident will be expected to follow patients longitudinally when appropriate and communicate between visits with the patient and referring physician as necessary. 

Where: Kaye Edmonton Clinic, Royal Alexandra Hospital, and Edmonton Neurology Clinic

• Monday PM clinic at the KEC (Dr Blevins and Dr Nowacki) - residents: Mulvany, Al-Zaabi, and McCoy

• Monday PM clinic at the RAH (Dr Dobrowolski and Dr Lloret) - residents: Marsters, Mostofi, and Thermalingem

• Tuesday AM clinic at Edmonton Neurology (Dr Sudharshan) - residents: Chaggar and Thangeswaran

• Tuesday PM clinic at the KEC (Dr Kate and Dr Khan) - residents: Yeung, DuVal, and Hansen

• Thursday PM clinic at the KEC (Dr Johnston and Dr Fok) - residents: Love, Dolter, and Zhu

• Friday PM clinic at the KEC (Dr Jassal and sometimes Dr Nowacki) - residents: Banerjee, Pahwa, and Kinley

Duration: This is a longitudinal rotation, lasting 3 years from the start of PGY-3 till the end of PGY-5 

Preparation: Prior to starting your continuity clinic you will be contacted by the rotation coordinator and administrative assistant for a meeting explaining the rotation. Read up the rotation objectives below, the workflow document, and helpful tips from Nathan Chu. 

Rotation Coordinator: Dr. Tom Nowacki (tnowacki@ualberta.ca) 

Clinic Coordinators: Each resident will be assigned a staff supervisor and administrative assistant. 

• Cory McDougall is the administrator for the KEC and RAH sites (cory.mcdougall@albertahealthservices.ca 780-248-1774)

• Lauralee Sorenson is a co-administrator for the KEC (lauralee.sorenson@albertahealthservices.ca 780-248-1927

• Susan Cook is the administrator for the Edmonton Neurology clinic (susanc.edmonton.neurology@gmail.com 780-469-3434)

The role of the attending neurologist is to review the resident’s case presentations, to challenge and test residents regarding their clinical and basic neurological skills and knowledge with the aim of facilitating and supporting independent thought. Staff neurologists are encouraged to observe and critique a resident’s patient evaluation (history and/or physical) on a regular basis.

The administrative assistant is responsible for overseeing the administrative operation of the clinic. This includes:

• booking appointments, tests, and referrals 

• updating the clinic database (where appropriate) 

• triaging calls from patients and directing them to the resident or staff 

• managing the clinic charts

Evaluations: have transitioned to the CBD system (EPAs).

Call: Resident will do senior neurology home call during this rotation. Due to the busy nature of senior neurology call, residents should not expect to schedule a clinic day when they are post-call. Residents will be expected to let the clinics know in advance when they will be post call and unable to attend clinic.