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.