The Neurologic Exam is one of ten 90-minute videotapes
made by Dr Martin Samuels, Professor of Neurology at Harvard University,
who is a memorably fine teacher. The other titles in the series
are Dizziness; Headache; Movement Disorders;
Stroke; Degenerative and Demyelinating Diseases;
Coma and Other Abnormalities of Consciousness; Functional
Neuroanatomy; Peripheral Neurology; and Seizures.
This particular tape is the most broadly useful in the series
because it addresses a problem most of us have with neurology:
we often do not effectively know how to obtain the history and
basic neurological examination results we need. Consequently,
neurology referrals and MRI requests proliferate while our selfdevelopment
stagnates.
Dr Samuels' explanations help us to understand the relation between
and underlying rationale for the parts of a neurologic evaluation,
and the relationship between those parts. He is an effective mime
and often illustrates by mimicry the conditions he describes.
He divides the neurologic examination into six parts:
- Mental status (psychiatric, neurologic)
- Cranial nerves
- Motor
- Sensory
- Coordination
- Reflexes
Dr Samuels pays detailed attention to the mental status examination
as the first part of the evaluation; more important, he illustrates
why it is necessary and how it is done. We are not shown the rote,
embarrassing, and even demeaning mental status examination that
most of us learned and hardly ever use; instead, we are shown
a sophisticated and interesting evaluation process that is highly
focused while readily passing for conversation. Dr Samuels' presentation
of the cranial nerve evaluation makes us realize that, despite
the stresses of medical practice, we can find moments of peace
and pleasure through properly understanding the logic of the neurologic
evaluation process.
The presentation was videotaped in a re-created office in front
of a live audience. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the tape
is at times imperfect, especially given the substantial price
charged. Nonetheless, the tape enables us to share a fine teaching
experience provided by an extraordinarily capable and interesting
teacher. Whether you purchase this videotape or borrow it from
a KFH library, The Neurologic Exam is likely to provide
far more practical value than can be obtained from attending many
hours at conferences or from reading textbooks. This tape exemplifies
video-based teaching at its best.
Video Textbook of Neurology for the Practicing
Physician, The Neurologic Exam [video recording]. Martin A. Samuels,
MD. Oxford, UK: Butterworth Heinemann; [Los Angeles, CA: Mayer
Media] 1996. $125. ISBN 0750697636
