The Department of Neurology at the University of Florida, in collaboration with the Epilepsy/Neuro ICU divisions and the Wilder’s Center for Epilepsy, is excited to announce a one-year Critical Care EEG fellowship position. This unique training program is tailored to offer a progressive and adaptable educational experience in a burgeoning field within neurology: the utilization of EEG in ICU environments.
Across the nation, approximately 20-30% of hospital beds cater to critically ill patients, many of whom suffer from acute brain malfunctions or injuries, leading to an elevated risk of seizures. Significantly, most of these seizures are non-convulsive and can only be detected through EEG recording. The widespread use of continuous EEG monitoring in such patients highlights the meteoric rise of critical care EEG, now considered one of the fastest-growing domains in clinical neurophysiology. Its importance is further underscored by the packed full-day courses at annual neurophysiology meetings, reflecting the escalating demand in this innovative field.
Despite its growth, there remains a noticeable educational void, with an urgent need to train neurologists in the reading and interpretation of EEGs for acute patient care. In recent years, a few programs nationwide have embraced ICU-EEG fellowships, aiming to nurture physicians interested in a long-term career in EEG monitoring for critically ill patients.
At the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital, our commitment to this field is demonstrated by the allocation of 24 beds specifically for critically ill neurological patients, in addition to 6 step-down beds. Moreover, nearly 200 ICU beds are reserved for critical care patients at Shands, including those in the MCU, SICU, and burn units. On average, 200 long-term studies are conducted monthly, further emphasizing our dedication to this area.
Our epilepsy/EEG division, composed of 8 attending physicians (including specialists in ICU EEG and pediatric epilepsy), stands at the forefront of this specialized training. The UF Epilepsy and Critical Care Divisions have crafted this fellowship with the express purpose of bridging the educational gap in this vital area. Additionally, the UF Epilepsy division manages two other fellowship programs, the neurophysiology fellowship, and the epilepsy fellowship.
A testament to our longstanding commitment to excellence, the University of Florida neurophysiology fellowship, accredited by ACGME, has thrived for almost thirty years, fostering over 30 scholarly and practicing neurologists, proficient in EEG and EMG interpretation, as well as epilepsy diagnosis and treatment. Presently, UF continues to uphold this tradition with ACGME-accredited programs in both clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy fellowships.