Neurology® Podcast The Core Identity of the Neurologist
Jan 1, 2026
Dr. Joseph Safdieh, a neurologist and clinician-educator, and Dr. Matthew S. Robbins, also a neurologist and residency program leader, delve into the challenges of subspecialization in neurology. They discuss the risks this trend poses to a core neurologist identity and its impact on patient care. The duo emphasizes the importance of preserving general neurology skills through training strategies and continuity clinics. Additionally, they advocate for a unified professional title to strengthen the field's identity and ensure comprehensive patient management.
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Subspecialize Without Losing Core Identity
- Subspecialization isn't bad, but shedding the core neurologist identity is harmful.
- Preserve neurology as the foundational identity before manifesting subspecialty expertise.
Neurology's Shared Clinical Framework
- Neurology centers on history, the neurologic exam, localization, and probabilistic differential diagnosis.
- That diagnostic reasoning is the shared 'protoplasm' across all neurology subspecialties.
Evaluate Symptoms Before Referring
- See undifferentiated symptom presentations and apply history, exam, and diagnostic reasoning before referring.
- Avoid expecting referring physicians to arrive with a precise diagnostic label.