Identifying Key Components of Neuropalliative Care Fellowship Using Nominal Group Technique.

CONTEXT: There is no standardized curriculum for neurology-focused palliative care training.

OBJECTIVE

To identify key components of fellowship training in neuropalliative care, via expert consensus.

METHODS

An adapted nominal group technique (NGT) was used to collect 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?" The adapted NGT followed a structured process composed of silent generation, collection and clarification, ranking, discussion, and final survey.

RESULTS

Fourteen individuals participated, including two current trainees, eight early-career clinicians, and four late-career clinicians. Nine were board certified in neurology, two were board certified in child neurology, and ten had completed a palliative care fellowship. For both key questions, the top-ranked responses included: dedicated outpatient neuropalliative care experience, mentorship from faculty with expertise in neuropalliative care, and a core didactic curriculum that includes neurology-specific content. Additionally, appropriateness for certification in hospice and palliative medicine was identified as crucial.

CONCLUSION

Participants identified experiences that are critical to palliative care fellowship training for neurologists.