Study EEG Online

EEG Online Programme

EEG remains an important component of neurological practice as it is a readily available test of brain function. In skilled hands, it may of great value, but misuse and poor interpretation may lead to an incorrect diagnosis and serious harm.

The purpose of the EEGonline Distance Learning Program is to assist trainees in clinical EEG by providing a supervised, interactive, learning experience. It is a part-time course, which runs for 6 months, and consists of 9 modules, each lasting about 3 weeks. The first 5 modules cover the basic principles of EEG, and the final 4 modules deal with its clinical application.

Each module consists of multimodal sections. Concise, informative text is provided, but the emphasis of the teaching is on the interpretation of many normal and abnormal EEG epochs which are presented in the course material. Interactive waveform software is utilised to demonstrate a systematic process of identifying and interpreting background rhythms, artefacts and both normal and abnormal waveforms of interest. There are online forums where participants discuss waveforms of interest with each other and with their tutors. Purpose-made videos demonstrate experienced tutors interpreting instructive EEGs and, at the end of each module, there are self-assessment quizzes with immediate feedback.

Links to useful resources on the Web are included and, to facilitate additional reading around the subject, references are provided

End-of-course examinations are offered, and successful participants will receive a certificate confirming successful completion of the EEGonline program.

Conveners and Tutors

Lawrence Tucker MB ChB MSc FCP(SA) PhD

Director: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Neurology Training, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town

President: Neurological Association of South Africa

President: College of Neurologists of South Africa

Roland Eastman MBChB FRCP

Emeritus Professor and Past Head: Division of Neurology, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town

Past President: Neurological Association of South Africa

Past President: College of Neurologists of South Africa

Eddy Lee Pan MB ChB MMed

Head: Neurophysiology Laboratory, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town

Senior Specialist and Lecturer, Division of Neurology University of Cape Town

Senate Advisor: Information Technology Committee, University of Cape Town

Clinical Advisor: Hospital Information Systems Committee, Groote Schuur Hospital

Melody Asukile BSc MBChB

Research and Development, Division of Neurology, University of Cape Town

‏‏‎ ‏‏‎

Peter Bartel MA PHD

Professor and Head: Department of Neurophysiology, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria

‏‏‎ ‏‏‎

Dr James Butler MBChB FCP(SA)

Director and Head: Constantiaberg Epilepsy Surgery Unit

Hon. Lecturer: University of Cape Town

User Testimonials

"I Would highly recommend this comprehensive course to both those starting out in the world of EEG and more experienced practitioners wanting to refresh their basic knowledge. This course reinvigorated my enthusiasm in EEG interpretation and the interactive platforms, media and guidance from tutors is excellent and an opportunity not to be missed."

Dr Michael Huth Neurologist Johannesburg

"EEGonline is an excellent platform on which to learn EEG. The study notes are clear and concise, and the interactive epoch analysis is very helpful. Also, interaction with the conveners and tutors on the discussion forums is really good."

Dr Saara Neshuku Neurology Registrar, Namibia

"The EEGonline program is one of the most useful learning tools I have ever used. The website layout is easy to navigate and the quality of EEGs is very good as compared to text books. The faculty are approachable and teach in a way that demystifies EEG learning. The content is excellent and progresses seamlessly from basic principles to clinical application. The exercises with review answers enabled us to learn from our errors. Overall, it has significantly improved my knowledge and application of EEGs and with more hands-on application, I feel that I can confidently teach EEG in the future! Thanks!"

Dr Herman Ekea. Specialist Physician and Neurology Registrar, Kenya

"A one of its kind course with excellent balance between theory and practical application. Lots of interactive learning with tutors giving it a “hands on experience” feel.. Highly recommended!"

Dr Sidra Aurangzeb, Neurologist, Oxford, UK

Programme Overview

1: Part 1 principles of Electroencephalography

5 modules
12 weeks
Part–time
Approximately 4-6 hours per week depending on baseline knowlege
Requirements: undergraduate medical or technologist’s degree
Preference will be given to neurology registrars in training & qualified specialist neurologists

By the end of EEGonline Course 1, you should have a sound understanding of the physiological processes which underlie the generation of electrical potentials within the brain, and how these are transmitted to the surface of the scalp. You will also develop an appreciation of how brain-derived electrical potentials are acquired through scalp electrodes, amplified and filtered by the EEG machine, and displayed on a screen. The principles involved in standard scalp-electrode placement according the 10-20 system will be explained, as will the principles, advantages and disadvantages of using bipolar vs. referential montages. In addition, the principles of basic electricity and electrical safety in the laboratory will be covered. Numerous instructive epochs will be presented to illustrate the wide range of normal electroencephalographic rhythms and other waveforms commonly seen in wakeful and somnolent adult subjects, as well as abnormal epileptiform and non-epileptiform patterns. Thus, when you complete EEGonline Course 1, you should have a firm platform on which to build your further EEG training, being able to identify and interpret most backgrounds and waveforms of interest.

Part 2: Application of Encephalography in Clinical Practice

4 modules
12 weeks
Part–time
Approximately 4-6 hours per week
Requirements: an undergraduate medical degree and completion of Course 1
Preference will be given to neurology registrars in training & qualified specialist neurologists

The aim of EEGonline Course 2 is for participants to revisit the principles acquired during Course 1, and learn how to start applying these appropriately in clinical practice. You will explore the benefits and limitations of using electroencephalography in the context of epilepsy, including the more common epilepsy syndromes, focal epilepsy, and status epilepticus and in the investigation for epilepsy surgery. Similarly, you will consider the benefits and limitations of using EEG in coma and encephalopathy, as well as its controversial use in brain stem death. The respective benefits and disadvantages of various bipolar and referential montages will be covered in relation to specific waveforms of interest. As in Course 1, numerous EEG epochs will be presented, but now together with clinical and imaging information so that the electroencephalographic information can be considered in context. Amongst other practical aspects, this course will deal with the potential pitfalls involved when reading EEGs, as well as the issue of how best to prepare an EEG report. By the time you have completed EEGonline Course 2, you should have a sound basic understanding of the use and limitations of the EEG in clinical practice. Of course, full competence in EEG interpretation cannot be obtained from courses or texts alone, but only from reading many records, and learning from the experience and advice of skilled practitioners. Nevertheless, with the material in these EEGonline courses, you should have a firm foundation on which to build your own future experience.