I am interested in applying for the neuromuscular match as a PMR resident. Will I be as competitive as a neurology resident? Is there anything specific I should highlight to better show my qualifications?
Is there a way to communicate with a program to share my level of interest more clearly (e.g., submitting a specific personal statement for the program I am most interested in similar to how we could be residency applications)?
This weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in AANEM’s Young Leadership Emerging Leaders Forum, where we discussed important topics related to physician contracting. One of the issues that came up was noncompete agreements — an increasingly important topic for early-career physicians.
The Current Landscape:
At the federal level, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to ban most noncompete agreements in April 2024. However, the rule is currently on hold due to ongoing legal challenges. A federal judge in Texas issued an injunction, questioning whether the FTC has the authority to enforce the ban. The issue is now under appeal, and it remains uncertain when — or if — the rule will take effect nationwide.
At the state level, laws vary dramatically:
Banned or heavily restricted: States like California, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma prohibit most noncompetes.
Conditional enforcement: Other states allow noncompetes based on criteria like salary thresholds, job duties, or geographic limits.
In flux: Many legislatures are actively introducing reforms to limit or eliminate noncompetes, especially in healthcare.
Why This Matters for New Physicians:
Noncompete clauses can limit your ability to work within a certain geographic area after leaving a job — sometimes for 1–2 years or more. This is especially burdensome if you want to stay near family, are repaying student loans, or are part of a dual-physician couple.
Key risks for young doctors:
Geographic restrictions that force relocation after job changes.
Delayed career mobility if you’re unhappy with your first job.
Hidden legal language that’s not always obvious in the contract.
What You Can Do:
-Know your state laws. Even within the same region, rules can vary significantly.
-Negotiate early. Noncompetes are easier to modify before you sign — not after you’re on payroll. -Get legal advice. A lawyer familiar with physician contracts can help you understand what's enforceable and help you negotiate fairer terms. -Ask the right questions during interviews:
Is there a noncompete?
What is the geographic scope and duration?
Are there any carve-outs for specific locations or roles?
Bottom Line:
Noncompetes aren’t just legal boilerplate — they can reshape your life and career trajectory. While the federal situation remains unsettled, it’s up to you to stay informed and protect your options. Don’t sign anything without understanding the long-term implications.
There will be a session on contracting at the AANEM Annual Meeting in San Francisco so be sure to attend!
What do you use to warm limbs. I have seen and read about heating lamps, heating pads, hydocollators, hair dryers. Are there any standards on this issue from AANEM?
Soon I will be tasked with setting up a new EMG lab at a satellite hospital. I've been thinking about choice of location of the lab in the new hospital and have been wondering about electrical interference.
Is there a way to measure/predict if this will be a problem? That is, short of setting up the EMG machine and using it in the new location?
I know folks are familiar with this problem in ICU settings, but once or twice I've run across the problem during inpatient studies, and have concluded the interference must have come from a room above or below where I was located......
How much does trying to normalize the temperature, to avoid slowing of conduction velocity and dista latencies, have an inpact on patient care? I do not think that cool (not extreme) skin temperature will create the characteristic abnormalities noted by demyelinating polyneuropathies with quite prolonged temporal dispersion and significant slowing of velocities. Trying to warm up extremities cause delay and dyscomfort on patients given the extra time spent on performing the studies. Has there been a study that address this issue?
I wanted to post that I found great "peripheral neuroanatomy" videos on the TPP recently added, if you're interested in learning more neuroanatomy. They have foundational, intermediate, and advanced videos for all training levels. Check them out if you get a chance!
Join us for another ‘Lessons from the Lab – LIVE!” Zoom webinar as Drs. Devon Rubin and Christopher Lamb present and discuss a unique case of a young rock climber with arm weakness. This episode is certain to make you think, scratch your head, scrutinize waveforms, and wonder whether you should ever rock climb again. This will be presented as a live webinar, allowing you to chime in, share your thoughts, ask your questions, or even offer your disagreements! Hope to see you there.
I conducted a nerve conduction study on a 45-year-old man for whom the referring provider expressed concerns regarding peripheral neuropathy. The results revealed the absence of sural sensory and superficial fibular sensory responses on the left side. However, other nerve conduction studies, including fibular motor to EDB and TA, tibial motor, ulnar motor, and superficial radial sensory on the same side, were normal, along with needle EMG. What steps should I take next, and what conclusions can be drawn from this study?
