How to Become a Neurologist?

Neurology is that branch of medical science which imparts education on the diagnosis and treatment of injuries caused in the main organ of a human body, i.e. brain. In this branch, you will simultaneously study the diseases caused in the Central Nervous System in the human body. You will get to practice medicine with the designation of Neurologist after becoming an expert upon completion of the course. A good neurologist is a person, who has outstanding intellectual ability and likes to give solutions to problems.

A neurologist’s work hovers around the areas of diagnosing and treating problems related to spinal cord, muscles and tissues and brain. They carry out Computed Axial Technology Scans (CAT Scans), Magnetic Resource Imaging (MRI), Electroencephalogram (EEGs), and a group of other tests for detecting degenerative brain disorders like seizures, strokes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, trauma, epilepsy Dementia, multiple sclerosis, and movement disorders.

With the rapid increase of work and goals in human life, a majority of the people in the working class are falling under stress and thereby causing health issues which are affecting the nervous system. As a result, the needs of highly skilled and qualified neurologists are also increasing.

Eligibility to Study Neurology

If you want to study neurology, then at first you need to complete MBBS degree and then two to three years master’s course in Medicine. After completing MBBS and Medicine, you need to select and study D.M. (neurology) to become a specialist in this field.

In your 10+2 degree, you need to have Physics, Chemistry and Biology as main subjects and qualify in medical entrance examinations like AIIMS, PGI, and NEET etc.

Post Graduation Entrance Examination to Study Neurology

MBBS doctors opt for examinations like All India Postgraduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam. In addition to that, most of the institutes also consider the marks obtained in MBBS and work experience along with the entrance examination ranks.

DM in Neurology is a three years course and some reputed colleges that provide this course are Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Smt. N.H.L. Municipal Medical College, and Bangalore Medical College and Institute.

When you will finish your post graduation, you will need a registration from Medical Council of India to start practicing.

Career Prospect of a Neurologist

By studying and observing a patient’s past medical records, diagnose a patient’s present medical conditions by conducting tests like CAT and MRI. There are sufficient job opportunities for neurologists in India and overseas. You will have the chance to work in general neurology or you can also specialize in one neurology category. Neurology is the intriguing branch to work in as it involves the brain and the nervous system. You will treat patients either by medicine, therapy or by performing surgeries if required. For that you will need to become a neurosurgeon.

You can work in private as well as government hospitals, healthcare homes, nursing homes. One of the best fields for neurologists to work is the research field. You can work as a researcher and discover new treatment methods brain and nerve injuries.

Reputed and famous recruiters of neurologists are Narayana Hrudayalaya Health City, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd., Indo American Hospital, Apollo Hospital, and AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science). The salary of neurologists depends on their expertise, educational qualification, experience and the university where they study neurology. As a fresher in this department, you can expect a salary between INR 4 lakh and INR 6 lakh a year.