Neurological conditions can be unsettling when first diagnosed. Symptoms can range from balance issues and muscle weakness to loss of limb control and memory problems. A neurologist who specializes in neurological conditions and treatments can help patients diagnose, treat, and regain their quality of life.
It’s important when finding a neurologist to find the right fit. Neurologists primarily specialize in nerve and neurological disorders, but some neurologists may have different sub-specialities, experience, or education.
You want to find the right neurologist for your disorder, quality of life, and goals. It’s important to align on treatment options, care, communication, and desired outcomes. Discover how to find the right neurologist for you and why it matters for your overall health.
Note: Content on neuromedpa.com is not doctor’s advice and should not be taken as such. Always contact your primary care doctor for medical services, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
What is a Neurologist
A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurologists treat conditions like migraines, seizures, memory loss, strokes, and diseases like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.
When Do I Need to See a Neurologist
If something feels off with how your body moves, feels, or thinks—and it’s related to the nervous system—a neurologist is the expert who figures out what’s going on and helps manage it through treatments, lifestyle changes, or medications.
Why the Right Neurologist Is Important for Your Health
Diagnosis
When facing a neurological disorder, you want to ensure you have the right diagnosis from the start. Many neurological disorders may overlap in symptoms, and proper recovery and treatment depend on a correct diagnosis.
Treatment
Just as important as your diagnosis is your treatment. Finding the right neurologist is all about working with someone who provides the right treatment for your diagnosis, quality of life, and personal wishes. You want a treatment that is effective, not too intrusive, and works with your lifestyle for the best results.
Quality of Life
At the end of the day, you are trusting your neurologist to help you with your quality of life. A neurological disorder can come with major lifestyle changes and adjustments. Finding the right neurologist matters so you can continue to live the life you want within reason for as long as possible.
Personal Attention
Doctors are busy, but there is no excuse not to get personalized attention when it comes to your treatment. The right neurologist matters for your health because they need to be attentive, listen, and concerned when things change for the worse. A neurologist who has a one-size-fits-all plan won’t help you regain your quality of life.
Communication
Your care is important and you should know what is happening with your treatments, medications, physical therapy, appointments, testing, and more. A good neurologist will not only listen but communicate everything along the way in a way you can understand. Don’t settle for unanswered calls or forgotten questions – your health matters.
Trust
Your neurologist will provide recommended care about treatments, testing, medications, quality of life adjustments, and more. You need to be able to trust your neurologist to have your health at the forefront of their mind. A neurologist you cannot trust will lead to compromised care, doubts, and stress which can worsen conditions.
Exerptise
Finding the right neurologist includes finding a neurologist who is an expert with your disorder. While all neurologists focus on nerve conditions, you may want to work with a neurologist who has more experience with your specific disorder. The more expertise a neurologist has the more resources you can get for your overall health and well-being.
Long-Term Care
A neurologist will be with you for years while you navigate and manage your neurological condition. A neurologist who is unresponsive, flighty, or absent will not be helpful while managing new challenges, progressions, and changing treatments. The right neurologist matters, so you have someone you can trust for the long term.
How to Pick the Right Neurologist
Board Certified
Make sure your neurologist is board-certified, meaning they have gone through the proper education, testing, and vetting process to ensure they are equipped to handle diagnoses, treatments, and more.
Experience
Work with a neurologist who is experienced with your specific condition. This will ensure a complete working knowledge of treatments, medications, recommendations, and expectations for what is to come so you can prepare.
Reputation
The right neurologist should have a trustworthy reputation. Ask your doctor, others in the field, and even check online reviews to see how other patients have experienced working with the neurologists you are considering.
Hospital Affiliation
Your neurologist should be affiliated with a hospital that has a good reputation and the equipment needed to treat your diagnosis. When testing is referred out to the hospital you never want to be without the right equipment or have to travel to a non-affiliated hospital for care.
Location
You will see your neurologist a lot during your care, diagnosis, and treatment. The location should be central to where you live, work, or spend the majority of your time. A neurologist whom you have to travel to will limit access, treatment, and urgent care when needed.
Tip: work with a local neurologist who has multiple locations to serve you better. Neurological Medicine PA offers care in both Greenbelt, MD and Laurel, MD
Scheduling
Throughout neurological treatments, sometimes urgent scheduling will be required and regular appointments help track the progression of the disorder. A neurologist should have the availability for both all regular routine check-ups and the ability to see their current patients on an urgent basis when needed.
Compassion
Treating a neurological disorder will be stressful and full of many changes. The right neurologist will be compassionate, patient, and helpful with everything from treatments and medications to handling the sudden changes and possible loss of activities. Understanding from a doctor can go a long way in managing treatment.
Communication
Finding the right neurologist is about finding one who communicates and doesn’t leave their patients waiting. Calls should be returned, emails responded to, and during appointments there should be clear communication about results, what comes next, and all treatment options.
Insurance Coverage
Neurological treatments are ongoing and can add up. The right neurologist should be in your healthcare plan so you can move forward with treatments without worrying about costs or coverage.
Questions to Ask Your Neurologist
Before working directly with a neurologist, you want to ask them several questions to ensure they are the right fit for your care. It’s advised to be referred to two or three different specialists to compare treatment options, scheduling availability, and more to find the right fit.
What is your experience with my specific condition or symptoms?
Always ask about their experience with your symptoms or confirmed diagnosis. This helps you understand their familiarity with your situation and whether they’ve successfully treated similar cases and will have resources on hand.
What tests or procedures do you typically use to diagnose and monitor neurological conditions?
Testing and equipment give you insight into how thorough and up-to-date their approach is to treating neurological conditions. You want to weigh the benefits of older methods vs new protocols.
What are the treatment options you recommend, and what are the risks and benefits of each?
Asking about treatment options and their breakdown of the pros and cons lets you gauge their philosophy on care—whether they take a conservative, aggressive, or balanced approach. What you prefer is entirely up to you and what you want for your lifestyle.
How do you involve patients in the decision-making process?
A good neurologist should welcome collaboration and be open to discussing options. It is your care and you should have a say in it.
What’s your availability for follow-up questions or urgent concerns between appointments?
It’s important to know how accessible and responsive your neurologist will be outside of regular visits. When possible, you always want to be working with your neurologist because they know your care, symptoms, and reactions to treatments.
Do you work closely with other specialists if my condition requires multidisciplinary care?
Coordinated care can be key if your condition overlaps with other areas of medicine. Your neurologist should be part of a network of other healthcare professionals that can work with you so you get complete care from a connected network of doctors.
Can you explain complex neurological concepts in a way I can understand?
Good communication is essential—your neurologist should be able to clearly explain your condition and treatment plan. Ask them to break down some complex treatments or symptoms to see if you understand.
Finding the Right Neurologist Made Easy
Neurological care can be stressful and uncertain. Finding the right neurologist can greatly ease the stress, tension, and even progression of the disorder. You want to feel confident in the treatments, happy with your appointments, and have trust that you are on the best path for your health.
At Neurological Medicine PA, we have two office locations in Maryland to help our patients. With positive reviews, compassionate specialists, and working knowledge of various disorders, we help patients reclaim their quality of life.
Neurological Medicine, P.A.
Neurological Medicine, P.A., provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to patients with conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. We have been serving the Prince George’s and Montgomery County area since 1975, with two offices: Greenbelt and Laurel. We offer complete adult neurological care as well as in-office neurodiagnostic studies.
