Work

Curriculum Innovation: Combining Didactic and Clinic-Based Methods to Improve Palliative Care Education for Neurology Residents and Advance Practice Providers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background and Objectives: The American Academy of Neurology recognizes a need for neurology clinicians to provide some aspects of palliative care. Palliative care is person-centered and family-centered care that focuses on quality of life for persons living with life-limiting illness. While palliative education programs exist, there is a knowledge gap regarding how to integrate this education into real-world neurology practice. The aim of this study was to improve the perceived knowledge of, comfort with discussing, and frequency of discussing palliative care topics in outpatient neurology practice. Methods: Recorded didactic lectures, note templates, and live meetings to discuss real-world challenges were implemented at an academic neurology department and offered to residents and advanced practice providers (APPs). A sample of residents and APPs completed surveys before and 6 months after using this curriculum. Surveys asked questions with Likert responses about their knowledge of, comfort with, and frequency of discussing 7 palliative care topics. A sample of learners and supervising faculty participated in semistructured interviews where authors explored their perceptions about palliative care and this curriculum. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, deidentified, coded, and analyzed. Results: : neurology clinicians faced systemic barriers in addressing palliative care. Discussion: Neurology clinicians want to practice palliative care but need ongoing education, sufficient time, clinical availability, and supervisory support to do so. Lectures, note templates, and live meetings to practice palliative care can be implemented feasibly in neurology practice and show preliminary signs of efficacy. Further work is needed to develop and test methods that aim to influence real-world practice.

Source: Neurology Education

DOI: 10.1212/ne9.0000000000200249

Authors: Andrew P. Huang, Cindy Gibson, Sandhya Seshadri, Benzi M. Kluger

Institution: University of Rochester Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Institute on Aging