MS3 Thinking about Neurology

[possibledoc]

Current MS3 thinking about neurology and have some questions. Reason for most of these questions is our school doesn't rotate in Neuro 3rd year. Any help is appreciated!

1. How does Neurology compare to IM in residency and once you are an attending (hospitalist)? I know most hospitalists who just work two weeks on and two weeks off, is Neurology similar?

2. What is the daily schedule like in residency (again compare it to IM?)

3. How much of Neuro is diagnosing disease based on like the different tracts in the body? (something I don't like - based on not liking this should I not go into Neuro?)

4. How are job offers after residency in Neuro? Just wondering as I have a big loan to pay off.

5. Are getting fellowships hard or easy (since not as many spots as in IM but there are also a lot less residents)?

6. How are the job offers after fellowships?

7. Do most Neurologists work inpatient or outpatient?

8. How is the health care reform affecting Neuro?

9. Are there any procedures that Neurologists do (like in residency)? I definitely like the aspect of spending more time with the patient than in IM.

I know some of the questions could be found in previous threads but a lot of them are outdated and I wanted to find the most up to date info. from current residents and even attending's. Thanks a lot for your help guys!

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[typhoonegator]

These are not unique questions, and the answers have not changed substantially in the last several years.

I would strongly recommend using the search function to answer most, if not all of the above questions. If, after further reflection, you still have further questions, then I'm sure people here would be happy to answer them.

 

[MrChance2]

4. How are job offers after residency in Neuro? Just wondering as I have a big loan to pay off.

They still look good to me. AAN.com as a ton of them.

 

[neurologist]

1. How does Neurology compare to IM in residency and once you are an attending (hospitalist)? I know most hospitalists who just work two weeks on and two weeks off, is Neurology similar?

Attending work as a neurohospitalist is highly variable depending on where you work, the needs of the hospital, and your preferences. Some do a week or two at a time, some work 5 day weeks 9-5, some do call, some don't, some do some outpatient work, some don't -- there's no single answer to this.

2. What is the daily schedule like in residency (again compare it to IM?)

Again, depends where you do your residency. At some places Neuro residents are slammed every bit as hard as IM; at others, it's relatively more relaxed than IM.

3. How much of Neuro is diagnosing disease based on like the different tracts in the body? (something I don't like - based on not liking this should I not go into Neuro?)

Well, that's part of it, but by no means the major part. You've got to have a decent knowledge of neuroanatomy, but really, I doubt any of us spend a whole lot of time consciously thinking about all those crazy tracts and fasciculi.

4. How are job offers after residency in Neuro? Just wondering as I have a big loan to pay off.

Rest assured that you will be among the lowest paid of medical specialists. I mean, you won't starve, and you'll make a bit more than a general internist, but you won't make as much as a cardiologist or GI doc.

5. Are getting fellowships hard or easy (since not as many spots as in IM but there are also a lot less residents)?

"Getting a fellowship" is not too hard. Getting a fellowship at certain big-name places or in some subspecialties (pain, interventional neurovascular) is not a guarantee.

6. How are the job offers after fellowships?

There is plenty of demand for neurologists and you will have no problem finding "a job." But see # 4.

7. Do most Neurologists work inpatient or outpatient?

Most still do both, but there is increasing movement (especially at large institutions) to move toward a hospitalist model where you focus on one or the other.

8. How is the health care reform affecting Neuro?

Nobody really has any fricking idea. If they say they do, they are giving you a load of BS. But the ultimate outcome will be that you will be making less money one way or the other.

9. Are there any procedures that Neurologists do (like in residency)? I definitely like the aspect of spending more time with the patient than in IM.

EEG, EMG. sleep studies, LPs, some do injections like trigger point injections, interventional neurologists do angiograms etc.

 

[possibledoc]

Thanks a lot for your help "neurologist," that has helped me a lot, now its time for me to get some clinical interaction with neurologists.