RPD307 - Identifying Key Aspects of Neuropalliative Care Fellowship Training using a Nominal Group Technique

Key Message : This session presents expert consensus on essential components of neuropalliative care training, including outpatient experience, specialized mentorship, and neurology-focused education. These findings offer a framework for tailoring palliative care fellowships to support neurology-trained physicians and serve as a model for subspecialty-specific training development in palliative medicine.

Abstract:

Background:

The growing recognition of palliative care as an essential component of neurology has prompted the American Academy of Neurology to call for expanded education in neuropalliative care (1). In response, several hospice and palliative medicine fellowship programs have established dedicated neuropalliative care tracks to support the small but growing number of neurologists entering this field. However, limited guidance exists regarding the essential components of these training tracks and how general palliative medicine fellowships can best adapt to meet the needs of neurology trainees. The purpose of this study was to identify key elements of fellowship training in neuropalliative care using a structured, consensus-building technique.

Methods:

An expert panel convened during the annual meeting of the International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS). A nominal group technique was used to generate and rank responses to two key questions: “In designing the ideal dedicated neuropalliative care clinician training experience, what core components should be included?” and “When a general palliative care fellowship has a neurologist in their program, how could the program/program director potentially tailor the year to their unique needs?”

Results:

Fourteen individuals participated, including 2 current trainees, 8 early-career clinicians, and 4 late-career clinicians. Nine were board certified in neurology, 2 were board certified in child neurology, and 10 had completed a palliative care fellowship. The top-ranked components included: 1) dedicated outpatient neuropalliative care experience, 2) mentorship from faculty with expertise in neuropalliative care, and 3) a core didactic curriculum that includes neurology-specific content.

Conclusion:

This expert consensus highlights the importance of targeted clinical exposure, specialized mentorship, and neurology-specific education in neuropalliative care training. The proposed framework offers guidance for fellowship programs seeking to support neurology-trained palliative care fellows and serves as a model for developing subspecialty-focused training pathways in other fields.

References: Taylor LP, Besbris JM, Graf WD, et al. Clinical Guidance in Neuropalliative Care: An AAN Position Statement. Neurology. 2022;98(10):409-416. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200063.