Rheumatologist vs. Neurologist: What Are the Differences?

Rheumatologists and neurologists are both medical doctors who specialize in treating conditions of the nervous system. Though they share some similarities, such as both requiring a medical degree, there are several key differences between the two professions. In this article, we discuss the differences between rheumatologists and neurologists, and we provide additional information about each profession.

What is a Rheumatologist?

Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the joints, muscles and bones. These conditions can be caused by autoimmune diseases, infections or other factors. Rheumatologists often work with patients to develop long-term treatment plans that may include medication, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. They may also perform joint injections or other procedures to relieve pain and improve function. Rheumatologists typically work in hospitals, clinics or private practices.

What is a Neurologist?

Neurologists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurologists may also be involved in research to find new ways to treat or prevent nervous system disorders. To diagnose a patient, a neurologist will first take a medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may also order tests, such as MRI or CT scans, to get a better look at the nervous system. Once a diagnosis is made, the neurologist will develop a treatment plan, which may involve medication, therapy, or surgery.

Rheumatologist vs. Neurologist

Here are the main differences between a rheumatologist and a neurologist.

Job Duties

Neurologists and rheumatologists share some of their job duties, such as conducting physical examinations, ordering diagnostic tests and evaluating patient symptoms. However, the specific duties of these medical professionals differ because they specialize in different areas of medicine. Neurologists focus on disorders that affect the nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves throughout the body. Rheumatologists specialize in disorders that affect the immune system, joints, muscles, bones, skin and other connective tissues.

As a neurologist, you may perform procedures such as lumbar punctures to collect cerebrospinal fluid for analysis or prescribe medications to treat conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Conversely, as a rheumatologist, you may perform procedures such as joint aspiration to collect synovial fluid for analysis or prescribe medications to treat conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, gout, lupus, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis.

Job Requirements

Rheumatologists and neurologists must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as pre-medicine or biology. They then attend medical school for four years to earn their Medical Doctor (MD) degree. After medical school, rheumatologists and neurologists must participate in a residency program to complete their training, which could take several years. Finally, they must obtain licensure from the state they plan to practice and pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.

Work Environment

Both neurologists and rheumatologists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics and private practices. They may also work for the government or military. Rheumatologists typically work more hours than neurologists because they see patients with chronic conditions that require long-term care.

Neurologists often work long hours to diagnose and treat their patients quickly. This is especially true when a patient presents symptoms of a neurological disorder. Neurologists who specialize in epilepsy may work irregular hours due to the unpredictable nature of seizures.

Skills

Rheumatologists and neurologists are both medical doctors who treat patients with conditions that affect the nervous system. Both types of doctors use similar skills, such as active listening, critical thinking and problem solving. However, they also use different skills depending on their specialty.

Rheumatologists focus on treating conditions that affect the joints, muscles and bones. They often use skills like joint injection, trigger point injections and electromyography. Neurologists, on the other hand, focus on treating conditions that affect the brain and nervous system. They might use skills like lumbar puncture, nerve conduction studies and EEG.

Salary

The average salary for a rheumatologist is $227,663 per year, while the average salary for a neurologist is $245,269 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the location of the job, the size of the company, the level of experience and the type of work being done.