Skills Needed by Neurologists

Neurologists need a variety of skills to work with the most complicated systems in the human body.

Neurologists treat some of the most complicated systems in the human body: the spinal system, the nervous system, the brain and muscles. Their schedules are unpredictable and many of the cases they take on are matters of life or death. To be successful in this highly competitive field, neurologists must possess strong communication skills, attention to detail and academic curiosity.

Communication

Neurologists must be able to listen to a patient's description of their symptoms with patience and compassion, explain complicated medical procedures to patients and their families at a time when they are likely under extreme emotional stress and tell families what happened when a procedure went wrong.

Memory

Becoming a neurologist requires years of intensive study and on-the-job learning. Whether mastering biochemistry as an undergraduate, studying human anatomy as a medical student or demonstrating an understanding of the effects of Alzheimer's disease on the nervous system as a medical resident, students of neurology are consistently asked to demonstrate exceptional memory, a skill that will eventually help you draw upon your training to unravel the often unknown and difficult medical cases that you will encounter as a practicing neurologist.

Drive

Neurology is among the most competitive fields in a the medical profession, which is already populated by lifetime high-achievers. Only the most accomplished medical school graduates are accepted for the required three-year post-graduate residencies, which require long, grueling hours of work.

Intellectual Curiousity

Practicing neurologists describing their reasons for entering the field on the American Academy of Neurology's website say they were excited by the opportunity to work with the many unknown conditions that often make their way to a neurologist's office. Neurology involves a substantial amount of detective work, as one practicing neurologist described it. The brain and spinal and nervous systems are among the most mysterious in the human body. Neurologists must be comfortable with the challenge of working in uncharted territory.

References

• East Carolina University: Choosing a Specialty: A Primer for Medical Students
• American Academy of Neurology: Careers in Neurology
• Neurologychannel.com: What is a Neurologist
• Kern Medical Center: Neurology