1. Introduction
Neurology is a branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the nervous system, including the central and peripheral nervous systems. Neurological practice relies heavily on knowledge of neuroscience and the nervous system; thus, most people recognize that neurology is a complex and difficult subject [1]. According to one survey, difficulty understanding neurology is common among not only medical students but also older physicians [1,2], which presents some challenges for non-neurologists, especially for young physicians[3,4].
Acute and critical neurological diseases are characterized by rapid onset and rapid progression. If the disease is not correctly diagnosed and not treated in time, there will be more complications and higher mortality. It has been reported that the demand for neurology specialists exceeds the supply [5, 6]. Quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving the prognosis of acute neurological diseases [7]. The main purpose of urgent consultation in neurology departments is to help the other departments deal with life-threatening symptoms in a timely manner. With timely responses, curative rates and quality of life are improved while morbidity and mortality rates are reduced. However, the current shortage of neurological physicians could be further exacerbated in the future [6]. As it stands, performing consultations poses a huge burden for neurological physicians. Despite the importance of this issue, few previous studies have investigated urgent neurological consultation.