Neuropalliative Care: Palliative care needs in Neurology & practical pearls for clinical care

Monday, June 9, 2025

8:00 AM – 10:30 AM ET

CE: 2.5

Audience:

Adult Neurologist, Child Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, Neuroradiologist, Neurophysiologist, Resident, Fellow, Nurses with interest in topic

Learning Level:

Basic (Resident, New Information), Intermediate (Practicing Physician), Advanced (Special Interest, Higher Level Discussion)

Learning Format:

Audience response system, Case studies, Forum/panels, Lecture/plenary method, Question and answer sessions

CanMEDs Roles:

Medical Expert, Scholar, Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Health Advocate, Professional

Co-Chair(s)

WK

WooJin Kim
UR

Usha Ramanathan

Speaker(s)

This course will provide neurologists, neurosurgeons and trainees with practical knowledge and skills to address the palliative care needs of patients with neurological disorders. Participants will learn key strategies for managing end-of-life care, focusing on the unique challenges faced by adult and pediatric neurologists. The course will offer practical insights into integrating palliative care in neurology and neurosurgery, including how to identify trigger points, introduce palliative care conversations, and navigate goals of care. Symptom management and discussions on medical assistance in dying will also be explored, equipping participants with the tools needed for compassionate, patient-centered care.

Learning Objectives:

Describe palliative care issues relevant to neurologists and neurosurgeons, from time of diagnosis to end-of-life care, with a focus on the management of dying patients.
Provide practical insights on how to introduce palliative care, identify trigger points, and conduct effective conversations around advance care planning and goals of care, especially for trainees.
Explore palliative care symptom management for adult and pediatric neurologists.
Address medical assistance in dying for patients with neurological disorders.

Presentations:

8:00 AM – 8:10 AM ET

Welcome and introductions
Speaker: WooJin Kim
8:10 AM – 8:30 AM ET

Introduction to neuropalliative care – describing palliative care issues relevant to neurologists, from time of diagnosis to end-of-life care and management of dying patients
Speaker: Veronica Bruno
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM ET

Palliative care practice for neurologists - Practical insights on how to introduce palliative care, identify trigger points, and conduct effective conversations around advance care planning and goals of care
Speaker: Teneille E. Gofton
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM ET

Practical tips for neuro-palliative care for adult neurologists and trainees
Speaker: Usha Ramanathan
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM ET

Practical aspects of palliative care and transition to adult palliative care for pediatric neurologists and trainees
Speaker: Christina Vadeboncoeur
9:30 AM – 9:50 AM ET

Palliative care needs in neurosurgery and neurooncology for neurosurgeons and trainees
Speaker: John Sinclair
9:50 AM – 10:20 AM ET

Medical assistance in dying for patients with neurological disorders
Speaker: Christen Shoesmith
10:20 AM – 10:30 AM ET

Discussion and Evaluation
Speaker: WooJin Kim
Speaker: Usha Ramanathan
Speaker: Veronica Bruno
Speaker: Teneille E. Gofton
Speaker: Christina Vadeboncoeur
Speaker: John Sinclair
Speaker: Christen Shoesmith