There are approximately 100 billion nerves present in the human brain, continuously transmitting and receiving impulses from neurons and body cells. Undoubtedly, neurology is a fascinating and interesting medical field that attracts many students who are passionate about learning nerves and related disorders.
Neurology is one of the most challenging and exciting fields of medicine that provides medical students with a lot of learning and career opportunities. It is the study of normal brain functions, as well as diseases of the nervous system and available treatment. Studying the nervous system will help students stay up to date on the intriguing development happening in neuroscience.
A person who is capable to understand the intricacies of how the human brain works and diagnose different neurological disorders is called a neurologist. A neurologist is a physician who can diagnose, and treat disorders associated with the central nervous system. Neurologists create effective treatment plans for Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), concussion, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke – to name a few.
Becoming a neurologist is a dream of many medical students but studying and specializing in neurology is easier said than done. It is a long journey from attending medical school to becoming a certified practitioner and working. But you will find this path interesting and rewarding as it will prepare you for a highly demanding and lucrative career as a neurologist.
Why You Should Study Neurology?
Neurologists play a key role in providing excellent care for diverse neurological conditions with a wide array of treatments. Neurologists are highly trained clinicians who have the potential to diagnose complex medical conditions. They perform a thorough physical examination to check the mental state, sensation, coordination, reflexes, vision and speech of the patients.
– The Demanding and Rewarding Career
The demand for neurologists is expected to grow in the coming years, making it a secure job option for medical students. Neurologists find the opportunity to deal with a wide variety of neurological conditions. They are problem solvers who perform procedure-oriented, surgery based and office-based practice. The diversity of medical cases makes neurology a rewarding and dynamic career option.
– Prepare You for Non-Medical Careers
Neuroscience is a diverse field, if you don’t want to work in the field of medicine with your neurology specialization, you can find other career opportunities. You can find research opportunities, run medical trials, or become a genetic counselor, depending on your interests and preferences.
Responsibilities of Neurologists
Neurologists are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and managing neurological disorders. Neurologists, unlike neurosurgeons, do not perform brain or spinal cord surgery, they work closely with neurosurgeons to treat different conditions and assist them in the operating room together. They perform a number of neurologic tests used to complete the patient’s evaluation:
- Computed tomography (CT) or computer-assisted tomography (CAT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (NCS/EMG)
- Lumbar puncture (LP) for cerebral spinal fluid analysis
- Skin and muscle biopsies.
- Botulinum toxin injections
- Intraoperative brain and spine monitoring
- Angiograms
- Coiling of aneurysms
How to Become a Neurologist?
Becoming a neurologist requires several years of education and training. You need to complete a four-year M.D. program from a reputable medical school, residency training to achieve board certification, and receive fellowship training to prepare yourself for a professional career.
Attend Medical School
If you are interested in neurology, you need to enroll in a medical school to complete a four-year M.D. program after completing an undergraduate program. You need to complete your neurology clerkship during clinical years to gain exposure in this field.
Residency Training
After completing an M.D. program, you need to complete three-year of residency training in neurology.
Fellowship Program
Students interested in pursuing careers in specialized neurology fields are required to invest two more years to get additional training in an array of subspecialties. After completing a fellowship training program, you will achieve certification in a subspecialty which will make you eligible to practice in the
Major subspecialty concentrations and fellowship options include:
- Autonomic Disorders (UCNS)
- Epilepsy (ABPN)
- Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry (UCNS)
- Brain Injury Medicine (ABPN)
- Headache Medicine (UCNS)
- Clinical Neuromuscular Pathology (UCNS)
- Clinical Neurophysiology (ABPN)
- Geriatric Neurology (UCNS)
- Neural Repair and Rehabilitation (UCNS)
- Neurocritical Care (UCNS)
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ABPN)
- Neuroimaging (UCNS)
- Neuromuscular Medicine (ABPN)
- Neuro-oncology (UCNS)
- Sleep Medicine (ABPN)
- Vascular Neurology (ABPN)
Career Opportunities
Neurology provides you with many exciting career opportunities. From clinical and research-based opportunities to hospital-based and academic jobs, a specialized degree in neurology will prepare you for a number of lucrative opportunities.
- Academic-based job
- Clinical psychologist (if specialize in behavioral neuroscience)
- Nurse practitioner
- Physician’s assistant
- Speech & language therapist
- Occupational therapist
- Physical therapist
- Audiologist
- Nutritionist
- Social worker
- Technician and research scientist
- MRI technician
- Histopathologist
- Biostatistician
- Epidemiologist
- Radiation physicist
- Administrator or coordinator of neurology ward
