neuro popularity

[Claymore]

Would anyone care to comment on why neurology currently seems to be a less popular specialty to enter? It seems like a very interesting field with a lot of potential for research and advancements, yet remains only mildly competitive. Is it just a money issue? Thanks.

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[Pinky]

yes. and the lack of effective treatment for most neurologic conditions. in addition, the interventional procedures that involve the brain are generally done by neurosurg and by interventional radiology.

 

[Claymore]

Pinky and other neuro people:

Thanks for the reply. So what was it that made you decide on pursuing neurology? Are you happy with your decision so far? What are your favorite aspects of neurology? What other specialties did you consider? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[radiology bound]

Folks,

Neurology is boring. Patients are chronically ill and difficult to manage. Neurology salaries pale in comparison to almost every other specialist's salary (check any salary survey). Residency sucks, on call sucks. Just about everything sucks about neurology.

Radiology, however, rules!!!!!!!

 

[Celiac Plexus]

Originally posted by radiology bound
Folks,

Neurology is boring. Patients are chronically ill and difficult to manage. Neurology salaries pale in comparison to almost every other specialist's salary (check any salary survey). Residency sucks, on call sucks. Just about everything sucks about neurology.

Radiology, however, rules!!!!!!!

How insightful.

 

[dcw135]

Every med student has the chance to go into neurology and most blow it. I don't know what accounts for people making bad choices except to say there's no accounting for bad taste. For me, I would simply not want to look at ugly rashes all day, no matter what kind of compensation I was getting. Nor would I like to do bowel surgery for the rest of my life, nor sit in a dark room all day. For me those would be sentences, not careers. But that's just me.

If you don't like to think - and as Russel said, some people would rather die than think, and they commonly do - then avoiding neuro makes sense.

After a while, all of medicine becomes pattern recognition and paying more attention to the real than the noise. But a great neuro case remains a great neuro case for now and when you're 80 - or so it seems.

Some med students find the lack of treatment to be a problem, but that's because they mostly do inpatients and see all of our strokes, not the recovery or the prevention.

But don't let other's make your mind up for you. Lots of people thought the world was flat as well. And lots of people think Bush is smart.

 

[Iron Horse]

Originally posted by dcw135

But don't let other's make your mind up for you. Lots of people thought the world was flat as well. And lots of people think Bush is smart.

 

[kasimagore1]

Along the same line, I would like to know what's the role/responsibility of a future neurologist like? With the advance of all the imaging techniques, the old question " where is the lesion" can many times be uneqivically answered by looking at the films. As a matter of fact, at numerous occasions neurologists were initially perplexed by the clinical manifestations, and not until they saw the films could they make the "okay, now that does make sense" type of comments. I am debating between neuro vs neurosurg and would like to seek comments on the future prospects of a neurologist. Say, within the next 10 or 20 years would there be any revolutionary developments (or is any thing big that is at the brink of being deveoped) for neurologists (like CT, MRI, and fMRI for radiologists in the 70's-90's) that would change the current capacity/limitation of a neurologist?

 

[Neuronix]

I'm a MSTP applicant, and strangely, everywhere I apply at least half of the people interviewing on the same day as me are applying for Neuroscience. I'm not sure what to make of it. Either we're going to have a surge of future neurologists, alot of them are going to change their minds, or neurology/neurosurgery are MD/PhD dominated fields.

I want to do neurosurgery myself and look at new pharmacological treatments for use after trauma or stroke. I think that holds tremendous promise and that there's a bunch of new things coming in neurology/neurosurgery if you are research oriented...

 

[Pinky]

Things change.

In my med school, there were many people who initially thought they would be interested in neurology/neuroscience/neurosurgery. One student even got a PhD in neuroscience and had published in Science. However, after doing his neurology clerkship, he decided to go into internal medicine instead and to pursue cardiology. Many others who were initially interested in neurology or neurosurgery were turned off after more exposure to the field or became interested in other fields. It's very common. If you surveyed an incoming M1 class about what they're interested in going into and survery them again 4 years later right before match, you'll see that many people have different answers.

 

[Neurogirl]

To Mr. Radiology Bound,

Wow! Are you such an expert on all specialties or is neuro just a special interest? You really know not where of you speak!

To everyone else,

As a pgy-2 neuro resident, I can tell you that I'm having a blast! I love the challange of neurology and couldn't imagine doing anything else. It IS a thinking specialty, which turns some people off, but I enjoy it immensely. Also, I take only 4-5 calls/month (from home) and have weekends off. Salaries vary widely depending on location. In the midwest and south (especially in smaller cities and towns), the money is very respectable, however, on the east and west coasts (especially in major cities), salaries are not great. Compensation is also dependent upon the number of proceedures you do (EMG, NC, LPs, Musc/Nerve biopsies, EEGs, Botox, EDSI and nerve blocks)

Regarding imaging, just because one knows where the lesion is doesn't mean they know what the lesion is. Imaging only takes you so far. The REAL question is, WHAT is the lesion...is it a stroke, tumor, infection, MS, etc. Sometimes the answer is obvious, sometimes it's not. The diagnostic dilemma really revolves around the history, presentation and associated symptoms. Also, there are many conditions for which imaging is completely useless.

As for the future, I have no doubt there will always be a demand for neurologists. After starting residency, one of the first things I noticed is that other physicians are loathe to diagnose or manage neurologic conditions. They just don't have the knowledge or experience. Also, as someone above noted, there is alot more to neurology than stroke. There are many treatable conditions and with so many involved in research, the next 10-20 years are sure to be an exciting time.

 

[Claymore]

Thanks to all those who have responded. I'm still interested in hearing what were the reasons you chose neurology. What other specialties did you consider?

 

[Ctrhu]

I too agree that Neurology is a "thinking person's" specialty. The challenge is in the diagnosis and there have been great strides in the management of neurologic diseases. Few other fields will benefit as much from and require as much knowledge in the basic sciences.
I find that primary care physicians often have very limited grasp of the field. The neurologists who consult with me generally have nailed down the diagnoses, and saved the day. Many have tried to read their own CT and MRIs and I don't blame them. As a practicing radiologist, I respect their knowledge, work ethic and professionalism.

 

[Toejam]

While this isn't exactly pertaining to the thread, just WHO thinks Bush is smart??!! I just got a 2003 calendar, which is jam-packed with Bush's many (MANY) "misunderestimated" quotes.

Good God. This guy is the leader of the free world.

 

[Dmcpharmd2be]

LOL EXACTLY!

 

[bigfrank]

I know, what were the US citizens thinking? It was between an honest, straightforward man from Texas or a wonderfully passionate, steal-the-show, "I took the initiative in creating the internet," Genius from Tennessee.

(Note the sarcasm on the latter man.)

I, personally, look forward to Bush winning again (against Gore) in 2004, or perhaps Gore will present some more "creations" to wow us all even further.

 

[DarkChild]

if this is going to generate into a bush bashing thread or some other form of political debate...
I just wanted to know if anyone caught this special on either Max or HBO which followed bush on his campaign trail for a year.
I've always dislike Bush expressly, but after watching that show, I've come to realize that Bush has a certain charisma and charm that is not at all evident from his public speaking. In fact, watching that show made me realize that Bush is a TERRIBLE public speaker (he also knows this) but he can be very very charming. It actually pretty impressive.

 

[Dmcpharmd2be]

Come on I live in Texas, do you really think I don't like "Dubya". I like dude, he does have a lot of charisma he's a nice charming guy. A person who can easily sale me ANYTHING. But he is a horrible president, I fear he has endanagered our economy, our safety and our freedom. The guy is a deplorable President, but he would make a great Baseball commissioner. And just to let yall know, I voted for President Bush in the Gubernatorial election. You know, an office he can handle. He did great things for Texas, I would welcome him with open arms if he came back to Texas government. But Texas government isn't like most states. The Governor doesn't hold extreme powers, there is a great balancing act between the Governor and the Lt. Governor. Now every body is kissing his butt as President, and if you don't kiss up then you're viewed as unpatriotic. Please, it is the right of the American to be objective to his own government. Okay I'm way off subject now.

Bye

 

[johnstoner]

i wouldn't be surprised if he is reelected