Neurologists work with patients who have lifelong debilitating diseases of the nervous system and may also be called on to make a diagnosis of brain death for terminally ill patients.  There is also increasing evidence that diseases that have formally been in the psychiatric domain, such as schizophrenia, may have neurological causation and symptoms, as suggested by a 2002 review article in the American Journal of Psychiatry.  In it, Professor Joseph B. Martin, Dean of Harvard Medical School and a neurologist by training, wrote that “the separation of the two categories is arbitrary, often influenced by beliefs rather than proven scientific observations. And the fact that the brain and mind are one makes the separation artificial anyway.”  The two fields are consequently beginning to overlap, and in Germany one requires a year’s training in psychiatry in order to become a neurologist. 

The median salary for a neurologist is $203,000.  Starting salaries are in the $120,000 dollar range.  A neurologist can expect to work in any type of medical arena, including hospitals, private practice and teaching.  The potential for helping many patients through research and patient care is quite high in neurology and many neurologists have reported it to be a rewarding and lucrative career path.  Neurologists are very much in demand on the current job market.  According to a survey done in 2000, 90% are in clinical practice, but 50% are still involved in some sort of research. 

The aging population means that demand for neurologists is on the rise.  The greatest demand is for general neurologists rather than those in a specialty.  If you are a neurologist, you can generally have your pick of the areas that you want to work in.  The only areas that this is untrue in are desirable urban areas, where neurology positions are harder to come by.

One of the fastest growing sub-specialities is Pain Medicine.  Conditions primarily taken care of by a Pain Medicine doctor are:

• Chronic Headache (77.4%)
• Chronic Spine and Limb Pain
• Neuropathy

Pain Medicine as a sub-specialty of Neurology is relatively new.  Recognizing the strong need, the American Academy of Neurology published a core curriculum for pain medicine in 2001.  It was only recognized in 1998 as a neurologic sub-specialty.  This is clearly a growth area where more doctors are needed and the income is concurrently higher than that of a typical neurologist.

Training is one more year of a course administered by the American Board of Psychology and Neurology, some of which may be taken part-time if desired.  This isn’t a huge sacrifice to make for the accompanying income hike.  Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain.  Without the aid of a Pain Medicine specialist, their symptoms may go undiagnosed and they may not be receiving the proper treatment to relieve their pain. 

Pain Medicine specialists are trained in the effects of the various kinds of painkillers and the neurological and nerve issues that frequently accompany chronic pain.  They are seen frequently not just in neurology departments, but also cancer wards where they alleviate the suffering of cancer patients.  Neuropathic pain in particular is commonly seen in cancer patients as cancer attacks peripheral nerves. 

Median salary for a pain medicine specialist is $335,000 in the US. 

Pain Medicine is frequently confused with Pain Management, which is the primary domain of anesthesiologists.  A Pain Management specialist will focus more on the symptoms than the root cause of the chronic pain of the patient.  While all medical careers are rewarding, Pain Medicine may be the best career choice for physicians who are focused on alleviating suffering and earning a high income at the same time.

To find your ideal physician job in neurology or any other specialty, start your physician job search with eMatchPhysicians.com’s comprehensive online matching profile.  It’s FREE to join and you will receive instant matches that are right for you!