What to Expect from This Book (and What Not to)

and Gunhild Waldemar¹

(1)

Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Abstract

Neurologists take pride in their clinical bedside skills, perhaps even more so than other physicians. Good clinical mentorship is mandatory in order to develop such skills; however, due to an ever-increasing need for more efficient working structures, the time and dedication that mentorship requires may not always be available. The authors have therefore written this book for neurology residents who are looking for a personal clinical mentor, guiding them through the entire patient encounter: from a comprehensive history and an efficient clinical examination to a thorough differential diagnosis, ancillary investigations, and finally treatment options.

Keywords

Clinical skillsClinical neurologyExaminationDifferential diagnosisExaminationMentorshipNeuroanatomyPatient historyTreatment

Few things in medicine are as fascinating as watching an experienced neurologist perform a history and bedside examination to generate a differential diagnosis prior to any laboratory investigations. Good clinical skills are mandatory when it comes to placing the patient on the right diagnostic track and to interpreting laboratory results correctly. These skills are acquired through regular training, in-depth theoretical knowledge, and good mentorship. The neurology trainee is responsible for the first two aspects, while good clinical mentorship requires a dedicated consultant who may not always be available.

Neither a traditional textbook nor a pocket manual, the aim of this book is to act as a clinical mentor and provide information otherwise difficult to look up in the usual reference sources. It tries to answer the sort of questions neurology trainees typically would ask their consultants.