A thread on pursuing a career in #globalneurology as part of neurology residency based on a recent conversation I had advising a trainee:

During residency it is ideal to pursue a 1 month elective in an LMIC with an established program.

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Anything less than one month is suboptimal. Between jet lag and a new environment you barely know your name after two weeks. The highest yield occurs during the 3rd and 4th weeks.

If your residency doesn’t have a site, it is always possible to go with another institution.

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The community is very supportive of anyone wanting to enter the field. People to contact about opportunities include @DeannaSaylor1 @BirbeckGretchen @IgorKoralnik @AaronLBerkowitz @cumara_o @jzunt @globalneurology @kiranthakurmd among others.

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The optimal time to go is as a PGY3 when you have clinical skills and time left in residency for a potential second elective if things work out well. The initial experience should focus on the practice of neurology in an LMIC.

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I am not a fan of research activities during an initial experience. The timeframe is too short and unlikely to be mutually beneficial unless taking part of an ongoing study that needs clinical experience like a good neurological examination.

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After the initial elective, if your program permits, a second elective at the site with an eye towards preliminary data, a medical education initiative, or developing a more project MAY be appropriate working with mentors from the site.

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If a second elective cannot be completed during residency, it is commmon to pursue a second visit as a fellow when your focus may have greater clarity. Number one quality needed for success IMO is hustle! If you want it bad enough it will happen.

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Thread of potential #globalneurology paths and funding opportunities post-residency to follow in the coming week.

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