Neuropalliative Care: A podcast with Benzi Kluger, Edward Richfield, and Christine Ritchie

While palliative care most traditionally grew up with a strong association with cancer care and end-of-life care, more and more evidence is coming out about how to integrate palliative care into a variety of serious illnesses from heart failure to chronic lung conditions.  Another emerging field is the integration of neurology and palliative care, something that has been coined as “neuropalliative care.” 

We had Benzi on a previous GeriPal podcast to talk about palliative care in Parkinson's disease.  On this week’s podcast we go much deeper into the field of neuropalliative care by inviting leaders of the new field and in the International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS),  Benzi Kluger, Edward Richfield, and Christine Ritchie.  INPCS connects clinicians, researchers, interdisciplinary team members, people living with neurological illness, family members, and advocates at the intersection of neurology and palliative care. 

In addition to talking about why INPCS was developed, we talk with these leaders about:

• What are the unique palliative care needs of patients with neurological conditions and their family members? 
• Do we really need a society focused on a subspecialty in palliative care and do we need it for every subspecialty in palliative care?
• How can palliative care be integrated into neurology practice?
• What are the gaps in the field of palliative care when addressing the needs of patients with neurological diseases?
• What are some key lessons learned doing neuropalliative care on how to care for patients with neurological diseases?

One other big shout out too for INPCS is for their inaugural Annual Meeting on November 4-6, 2021. The online conference will offer attendees the opportunity to learn from experts, hear updates in practice patterns, review the state of the science in neuropalliative care, and network with others interested in this growing field.  Best part, it’s free!   So sign up.