MAVIT4400 Clinical Neurophysiology Course description

Clinical neurophysiology is a medical speciality where neurophysiological methods are used to investigate and for diagnosis regarding diseases in the nervous system. This course includes basic neuroscience and practical aspects of clinical physiology. The student will learn both basic neuroscience and how to perform the most common neurophysiological assessments.

Recommended background is a bachelor´s degree or equivalent in nursing, pharmacy, psychology, physiotherapy, bioengineering, paramedicine, social education, physiology or molecular biology, og medicine (profession).

• The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences or Pharmacy

• The course is also offered as an individual course. The applicant must have a bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree in health sciences. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses.

Knowledge

The student

• can describe the anatomy and function of the nervous system

• can describe consciousness, memory and explain the phenomenon sleep

• can explain the interplay between environment and the autonomic nervous system

• can give an overview of the most common diseases in the nervous system

• can explain the most important principals of the pain mechanism

• can explain what can be measured by electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), neurography and evoked potentials

• can give an overview of the principals of clinical neurophysiology, diagnosis and monitoring

• can make the decision when it is relevant to use neurophysiological intraoperative monitoring

Skills

The student

• can describe the procedures of the most common electrophysiological methods i.e., EEG, EMG, neurography, and evoked potentials 

• can recognize the pattern and signs relevant for neurophysiological assessment, including how to separate physiological artefacts from normal cortical activity

General competence

The student

• can obtain insight in the methods and instruments used in neurophysiological assessment including when it should be used, which opportunities it may provide and methodological limitations

• can consider ethical issues and challenges related to neurophysiological research and clinical practice in the field

• can disseminate results to peers, but also communicate with patients and their next of kin 

The course consists of two parts, one mainly theoretical at OsloMet and a more practical part at OUS where skills training is also included. The work and teaching methods include digital and on-site lectures, group work in the form of colloquiums and problem-based learning (PBL), skills training and self-studies.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the examination:

• attendance at introductory lectures (one day at OsloMet)

• minimum attendance of 80 % in group work (colloquiums/PBL); 6 times, 2 hours each

• conducted supervised skills training at teaching sessions (2 teaching sessions of 2 days each at OUS)

Individual oral examination, 30 minutes. The answers may be given in a Scandinavian language og English.

None

Grade scale A-F

All examinations are assessed by an internal and an external examiner.

Target group

The target group is healthcare personnel who want to improve their skills in clinical neurophysiology. The target group is also students admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences or Pharmacy who wish to take this course as an elective course, as part of their master´s degree.

Admission requirements

• The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences or Pharmacy

• The course is also offered as an individual course. The applicant must have a bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree in health sciences. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses.