Neurologists

<ul><li>Interview patients to obtain information, such as complaints, symptoms, medical histories, and family histories.</li><li>Perform or interpret the outcomes of procedures or diagnostic tests, such as lumbar punctures, electroencephalography, electromyography, and nerve conduction velocity tests.</li><li>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.</li><li>Order or interpret results of laboratory analyses of patients' blood or cerebrospinal fluid.</li><li>Diagnose neurological conditions based on interpretation of examination findings, histories, or test results.</li><li>Prescribe or administer medications, such as anti-epileptic drugs, and monitor patients for behavioral and cognitive side effects.</li><li>Identify and treat major neurological system diseases and disorders, such as central nervous system infection, cranio spinal trauma, dementia, and stroke.</li><li>Inform patients or families of neurological diagnoses and prognoses, or benefits, risks and costs of various treatment plans.</li><li>Develop treatment plans based on diagnoses and on evaluation of factors, such as age and general health, or procedural risks and costs.</li><li>Prepare, maintain, or review records that include patients' histories, neurological examination findings, treatment plans, or outcomes.</li><li>Communicate with other health care professionals regarding patients' conditions and care.</li><li>Counsel patients or others on the background of neurological disorders including risk factors, or genetic or environmental concerns.</li><li>Interpret the results of neuroimaging studies, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans.</li><li>Determine brain death using accepted tests and procedures.</li><li>Coordinate neurological services with other health care team activities.</li><li>Refer patients to other health care practitioners as necessary.</li><li>Advise other physicians on the treatment of neurological problems.</li><li>Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and expand competence.</li><li>Order supportive care services, such as physical therapy, specialized nursing care, and social services.</li><li>Provide training to medical students or staff members.</li><li>Supervise medical technicians in the performance of neurological diagnostic or therapeutic activities.</li><li>Participate in neuroscience research activities.</li></ul>