Course Delivery

The course is accessed via a dedicated course website. On acceptance of your application you will be provided with a username and password to access the website.

If you are doing the whole course, you will initially be given access to Unit 1 plus two other units.  You can select which units you would like to work, they don't have to be completed in any particular order.  It is ideal if you can work on specific units whilst working in the relevant department, although that isn't always possible for everyone.

Each Unit is split into smaller Sections (see full list here 'DL Units').  Each Section is 3-4 hours work and you will download and work through:

  • Activity document
  • Interactive activities
  • Commentary document
  • Reading materials (Some units require access to standard texts, available at reasonable cost or accessible through contact with your regional neurology department)

The Activity document leads you through each section, providing work-based activities for you to complete. Sometimes the activity will ask you to read a paper, which will be provided, and then answer a question.  Other times it will ask you to refer to case notes of a patient or visit another department.  Download the 'DL Units' document to see the full list of resources you will need.  

The Commentary document provides a commentary to follow each activity to check your learning and give you an indication of whether you are on the right lines and point you at resources to fill in your knowledge.  Do Activity 1, then read Commentary 1.

After downloading the materials you may choose to work either work on your computer or print off the materials so that you can work on a hard copy. We would hope that you will work through it at a rate that is right for you, maintaining a balance between momentum and enjoyment.

How long will it take to complete?
Each unit is about 48 hours work, Unit 6 (Epilepsy) is 108 hours, Units 10 (Vision and hearing ) and 10 (Neuro-oncology) are both 24 hours.  

If you are working through the whole course you should aim to complete a 48 hour unit in about 3 months (approximately 4 hours per week).  At that rate you will complete the course in 3 years.  Remember to send in the unit appraisal form as you complete each unit and we will send you a certificate.

If you are working through an individual unit you will receive a CPD certificate for each section you complete, 4 hours = 4 points.  It has been known for a Consultant to take 3 weeks study leave and complete the whole epilepsy unit (108 hours work), however, that is very much the exception rather than the rule!  You may take as long as you wish to complete individual units.  Most Consultants take more than 6 months to complete Unit 6 (epilepsy).  Remember to send in your completed sections as you finish them.

Do any Units link in with other BPNA courses?
For those with an interest in paediatric epilepsy, it is recommended that you attend the Paediatric Epilepsy Training (PET) courses.  It doesn't matter if you attend PET before or after doing Unit 6.  The new PET EEG course is specifically designed for Consultant Paediatricians and complements Unit 6. 

The Movement Disorders course links in very well with Unit 4, Central motor deficits; congenital and acquired spinal cord disorders.