Neurodevelopmental Follow-up and Outcomes Research

This three-year fellowship track is designed to provide excellent clinical training in the acute and convalescent care of premature and sick full term infants as well as the medical and neurodevelopmental follow-up care required for these infants post-discharge. The fellow will receive comprehensive training in the methods for conducting neurodevelopmental follow-up, and other outcome research.

 

Sponsor

Neonatal Perinatal Research Institute

Supervisor

Ricki F. Goldstein, M.D.

Requirements

The requirements of this fellowship track include:

• Twelve months of clinical service in the ICN (standard fellowship requirement) with additional clinical service time in our transitional care nurseries.


• Weekly participation in the Special Infant Care Clinic including following a designated cohort of infants (both extremely low birth weight and critically ill full term infants) over 2-3 years. Skills to be learned in clinic will include:
• To be able to perform a detailed neurologic assessment of an infant and young child.
• To be able to manage ongoing medical problems of high risk infants (e.g. chronic lung disease, gastroesophageal reflux, growth and feeding problems).
• To gain familiarity with the expected neurodevelopmental outcome of various neonatal problems.
• To be able to determine whether the neurologic and developmental abnormalities of an infant are consistent with the neonatal course, and if not, what further diagnostic evaluations or referrals are indicated.
• To be able to distinguish the transient neurologic abnormalities of premature and sick full-term infants from the early precursors of cerebral palsy.
• To understand the indications and interpretation of the various developmental assessment tools used by members of the developmental team.
• To gain familiarity with the various intervention services available for infants and young children with developmental disabilities and how to help families access these services.
• To develop experience in discussing unfavorable prognosis and outcome with parents in a supportive and compassionate way.


• Weekly participation in Developmental Rounds in the ICN and biweekly rounds at DRH.


• Participation in providing medical care of infants rehospitalized soon after discharge with exaccerbation of neonatal problems.
• Elective months in the following areas:
• Neuroimaging (indications and interpretation)
• Neonatal neurology
• Rehabilitation/CP clinic
• Physical/occupational therapy
• Speech/feeding disorders
• Fetal-maternal medicine


• Master's degree in Clinical Research from the Duke Center for Clinical Research (optional). This program includes training in epidemiology and biostatistics as well as design of clinical trials.

Research

Participation in ongoing neurodevelopmental follow-up studies.
Design one or more projects involving outcome research to be completed by the end of fellowship.