According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Interview patients to obtain information, such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories. | 97% |
| Examine patients to obtain information about functional status of areas, such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, sensations, language skills, cognitive abilities, and mental status. | 96% |
| Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests, such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests. | 96% |
| Order or interpret results of laboratory analyses of patients' blood or cerebrospinal fluid. | 95% |
| Diagnose neurological conditions based on interpretation of examination findings, histories, or test results. | 94% |
| Prescribe or administer medications, such as anti-epileptic drugs, and monitor patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects. | 94% |
| Identify and treat major neurological system diseases and disorders, such as central nervous system infection, cranio spinal trauma, dementia, and stroke. | 93% |
| Inform patients or families of neurological diagnoses and prognoses, or benefits, risks and costs of various treatment plans. | 92% |
| Develop treatment plans based on diagnoses and on evaluation of factors, such as age and general health, or procedural risks and costs. | 92% |
| Prepare, maintain, or review records that include patients' histories, neurological examination findings, treatment plans, or outcomes. | 91% |
| Communicate with other health care professionals regarding patients' conditions and care. | 91% |
| Counsel patients or others on the background of neurological disorders including risk factors, or genetic or environmental concerns. | 88% |
| Interpret the results of neuroimaging studies, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans. | 88% |
| Determine brain death using accepted tests and procedures. | 86% |
| Coordinate neurological services with other health care team activities. | 86% |
| Refer patients to other health care practitioners as necessary. | 85% |
| Advise other physicians on the treatment of neurological problems. | 85% |
| Perform specialized treatments in areas such as sleep disorders, neuroimmunology, neuro-oncology, behavioral neurology, and neurogenetics. | 84% |
| Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and expand competence. | 81% |
| Order supportive care services, such as physical therapy, specialized nursing care, and social services. | 81% |
| Provide training to medical students or staff members. | 80% |
| Prescribe or administer treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation. | 74% |
| Supervise medical technicians in the performance of neurological diagnostic or therapeutic activities. | 73% |
| Participate in neuroscience research activities. | 69% |
