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Neurology Doctor
Nature of the work
A neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of disease or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and autonomic nervous system as well as the blood vessels that relate to these structures.1
Neurologists can receive training in the following subspecialties:
clinical neurophysiology, which involves specialization in the diagnosis and management of central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous system disorders using a combination of clinical evaluation and electrophysiologic testing such as electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction studies (NCS), among others.
hospice and palliative medicine, which involves preventing and relieving the suffering experienced by patients with life-limiting illness.
neurodevelopmental disabilities, which involves diagnosing and managing chronic conditions that affect the developing and mature nervous system such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and chronic behavioral syndromes or neurologic conditions.
neuromuscular medicine, which involves diagnosing and managing disorders of nerves, muscle, or neuromuscular junction.
pain medicine, which involves providing a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chronic, or cancer pain in hospital and ambulatory settings.
sleep medicine, which involves diagnosing and managing of clinical conditions that occur during sleep, disturb sleep, or are affected by disturbances in the wake-sleep cycle.
vascular neurology, which involves evaluating, preventing, treating, and recovering from vascular diseases of the nervous system.
Training/residency information
The residency training program for neurology is four years. Certification in any of the subspecialties requires an additional one to three years of training.
References
1 The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.
2 Association of American Medical Colleges. Report on Medical School Faculty Salaries 2009–2010. Washington, DC: AAMC; February 2011.