ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of urgent cases consulted by a neurology chief resident. MethodsUrgent consultation cases from December 1, 2008 to November 31, 2009 consulted by a chief resident in Department of Neurology of Fujian Provincial Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsA total of 307 new inpatients (male 173 and female 134 ) were consulted, with an average of 6 cases each week. The age varied from 5 months to 93 years old, and mean age was 58.6-year-old. 190 (61.89%) cases of emergency consultations came from non-surgery department, including 50 (16.29%) cases from department of Cardiology and 47 (15.31%) cases from Intensive Care Unit. Cerebrovascular disease was the most common diagnosis (143 cases, 46.58%), namely: acute cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, and vertebra-basilar artery insufficiency (dizziness or vertigo). Few patients suffered from transient ischemic attack, old cerebral infarction or sequelae of cerebral infarction, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. There were 32 cases (10.42%) with mental and behavioral disorders, which were one of postoperative complications. Convulsion (32 cases, 6.19%) due to different causes was also very common. Additionally, 13 cases (4.23%) were found with peripheral neuropathy. ConclusionThe system of chief resident provides more clinical practices for chief residents themselves, and cultivates them to require clinical thinking under the guidance of dialectical thought.

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