Child neurologists help children with neurological disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle. One reason to consider this career is that there is a shortage of child neurology specialists in the U.S.
As part of our series about the many choices available in medical specialties, let’s take a look at child neurology.
What is child neurology?
A child neurologist treats children from birth through adolescence who are having problems with their nervous system. They have the special training and experience needed to treat children for health problems that may be relatively straightforward (such as migraines) or more complex (like metabolic disorders).
The training takes five years and includes:
- Two years training in pediatrics
- One year in general neurology
- Two years in pediatric neurology
Helping children who have neurological disorders
Child neurologists consult with primary care physicians and also offer continuing care for chronic neurological conditions. It’s rewarding to help patients and their families deal with neurological disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle. As a child neurologist, you can also enrich your practice through community service, advocacy, and scholarly pursuits.
Like other pediatric specialties, child neurology also offers the challenge of using your communication skills to work with patients whose verbal abilities may be limited or nonexistent.
Subspecialties in child neurology
Subspecialties in child neurology include:
- Treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy, headache, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and pediatric neuromuscular diseases
- Evaluating and managing neurobehavioral disorders in children with Tourette syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and other conditions
- Joining a team of investigators for laboratory-based or clinical research that identifies evidence-based approaches for many neurological problems
A child neurology resident’s average hours and pay
According to the American Medical Association Residency & Fellowship Database (aka FREIDA Online), these are the average hours and pay you can expect as a radiology resident:
- Average hours on duty per week: 61.0
- Average maximum consecutive hours on duty: 22.2
- Average days off duty per week: 1.2
- Average resident/fellow compensation: $57,260
Child neurology and The Match for IMGs
Here’s a look at data published by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) about the IMG applicants whose preferred specialty was child neurology in the 2016 Main Residency Match:
- Total positions offered in diagnostic radiology: 170
- Total number of all applicants: 170
- Number of all applicants per position: 1.00
- U.S. IMGs
Matched: 76
Not matched: 42
Total: 118 - Non-U.S. IMGs
Matched: 20
Not matched: 17
Total: 37
Shortage of child neurologists may open up opportunities
In 2016, the match rate for U.S. IMGs in child neurology was 50 percent, and for non-U.S. IMGs, it was 54 percent. Those strong figures may reflect the shortage of child neurologists. The number of child neurologists in the U.S. is estimated to be at least 20 percent below national needs. That may be one more reason to consider this career.
Why become a child neurologist?
“The reason I chose child neurology is that you have a shot at making an impact that can last a lifetime, and because kids are more fun.”
Perhaps this comment from a child neurologist sums up your feelings about a career in this field. If you want to help children feel better, are organized, and have a sense of humor, you may have what it takes to pursue this specialty.
Whichever specialty you choose, it starts with the road to residency. Let us help smooth the way with Kaplan’s ResidencyPrep for international medical graduates.
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