5 Questions: What’s It Like to Work in Neurology?

By Ian Neligh

Lt. Cmdr. Chantal Bhan has worked as a neurologist for five
years and enjoys teaching medical students at USU and
neurology residents about the field of neurology. (Photo
credit: Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chantal Bhan)

Physician: Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Chantal Bhan

Department: Neurology

Title: Associate Program Director, Neurology, National Capital Consortium and Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 

Years in Neurology: 5

Specific interests in Neurology: Teaching USU medical students and Neurology residents in the field of Neurology, Neurologic disease of deployed active duty service members, neuromuscular disease, movement disorders.

Favorite Accolade: Brien J. Smith Neurology Research Award, Spectrum Health/Michigan State University, 2020

Q. Why did you decide to specialize in neurology?

A. My father had a stroke at a fairly young age and I watched his disability and recovery as a teenager. I had already been developing an interest in science and healthcare, but I believe this experience really propelled my interest in medicine, and specifically neurology and the mechanics of the brain at that time.

Q. What does someone in your specialty do?

A. Neurologists have a wide variety of care they provide that can vary greatly from physician to physician. Typically, we provide medical care for patients with acute and chronic neurologic conditions, which can commonly include: Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, headaches, tremor, neuropathy, dizziness, stroke, meningitis, seizures, dementia, cancers of the brain or spinal cord, ALS, traumatic brain injury, to name a few! 

Many Neurologists also do procedures, which can commonly include electroencephalograms, electromyography, and Botox therapy.

Mirror therapy, as administered by Navy neurologist Cmdr. (Dr.) Jack Tsao, associate professor of neurology at USU, is used to treat phantom pain caused by
amputation. (Photo credit: Donna Miles, Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs, 2008.)

Q. What is one of the biggest challenges about working in this field?

A. Many neurologic diagnoses can be challenging to diagnose, understand, and certainly challenging to live with. It is both an incredible privilege and difficulty in helping patients to find the best way to navigate their disease processes. Diagnoses and treatments can be difficult to ascertain immediately, which can be frustrating at times to both the patients and Neurologists.

Q. What is one of the best things about your job?

A. The best part of my job is being able to help and optimize patients so that they can live their lives focusing on what brings them joy and gratitude instead of having to focus on their disease states.

Q. What advice can you offer medical students considering this specialty?

A. Neurology can be an intimidating field due to its complexity, but don’t be afraid to venture further! It is truly the final frontier of medicine in its depth and intricacy. Neurology is a field that is rich in intellectual detective work, highly rewarding, and gratifying. 

If you suspect you have an interest, it would be beneficial to seek out mentorship in navigating how to pursue and expand your interests further.