Duties of the Neurologist

The main objective of the neurologist is to optimize the medical, neurological and behavioural state of the patient.

When the patient is admitted, the neurologist is responsible for initially assess the patient, their background and current situation:

1. Initial assessment of the patient: Through the neurological examination the site of the injury can be determined in order to help direct the most appropriate treatment.  It also identifies the physical , neurological, cognitive and behavioural defects that impair the functional recovery of the patient as well as their ability to perform specific tasks.
2. Personal history: The neurologist must know the diseases prior to admission, i.e., medical comorbidities that must be treated. Specifically, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and heart problems.
3. Assessment of the current situation of the patient with the aim of preventing complications arising as a result of medication, previous diseases and the brain damage. For example, seizures infections (respiratory and urinary), dehydration, fainting, etc.

On admission the pharmacological treatment is monitored and controlled, both neurological and medical. If necessary, diagnostic tests that help in the diagnosis  (analytical, neuroimaging and neurophysiological) or the opinion of a second specialist are sought when associated pathologies so require.

Each week, the neurorehabilitation team meets in a clinical session to discuss the neurorehabilitation objectives of each patient and the progress and obstacles to achieving these goals (for example: pain, depression, spasticity, extrapyramidal effects, cardiovascular instability or breathing).

At the time of hospital discharge, the neurologist assesses the patient’s medical progress and neurological sequelae in order to issue a medical report together with the neurorehabilitation team.