[The neurologist profile in Valencian community]

We carried out a postal opinion poll among members of the Valencian Neurological Society with the aim of defining the profile of the Neurologist in our region. We received 35 replies (30% answer rate). We can characterize the Neurologist in our region as having been an in-house resident doctor (MIR) in 68.6% of cases, working in the public health service in 80% of cases and in a hospital also in 80% of cases. In all cases (100%) general practitioners (GPs) referred patients to neurologists as opposed to being referred by other possible routes-emergencies, other specialties, the patient him or herself-most neurologists considering patients should come with adequate clinical history (94.3%), medical examination (82.9%) and suspected diagnosis (68.6%). 97.1% expressed the opinion that it is the neurologist who must decide the follow-up for neurological patients. 85.7% think direct access on the part of the neurologist to Doppler techniques is essential and 80% think the same concerning access to neuropathological studies, which contrasts with the meager development of these techniques in our region. About 70% believe Doppler techniques should be performed by the neurologist. 68.6% consider the neurologist should be involved in neurology management with decisive powers. 62.9% said subspecialties are interesting for research and backup, the most necessary of such subspecialties being cerebrovascular pathology, neuromuscular pathology, extrapyramidal pathology and epilepsy. Most neurologists were of the opinion that Neurology should have nothing to do with Psychiatry or Internal Medicine, although there is a need for important relations with Neurophysiology through the setting up of a common organization or of functional units. It was generally though the neurologist should be involved in teaching at all levels. 77.1% agree with the existence of a credit system for continuous assessment in the specialty, most (57.1% considering such a scheme should be optional and performed by the regional scientific societies (40%).