Key Tips for Success When Implementing This Series
| 1. Choose appropriate topics: focus on management topics within outpatient neurology not frequently encountered by residents, e.g., usually managed in subspecialty clinics or requiring multiple years of follow-up. |
| 2. Choose appropriate faculty members: select an experienced outpatient neurologist and prioritize clinical expertise over research credentials |
| 3. Choose appropriate patients: select a patient (a) with a prolonged disease course requiring shared decision making at multiple stages, (b) who has a good relationship with their neurologist, (c) who has a good understanding of their illness, (d) is an effective communicator, and (e) who is comfortable sharing personal details about their values and the impact of their illness. Attend to the diversity of patients selected to ensure that representative voices are heard. |
| 4. Plan the conversation: identify session learning objectives and create a session guide including a summary of the patient's clinical course and anticipated questions for the neurologist and the patient. Share this guide with the patient and faculty ahead of time to help them prepare and make changes. Although each session varies, a general outline might include the following: |
| • Brief history from the patient's perspective of initial symptoms and signs |
| • Discussion of early conversations about diagnosis and impact on the patient |
| • Identifying key treatment decision points and sharing the patient's and the clinician's perspective |
| • Identifying challenges the patient may have faced during their course |
| • Clinician's overview for outpatient management of the featured condition |
| • Patient's perspective on living with their neurologic condition |
| 5. Moderate the session: use a moderator during the session to manage time, direct the flow of the discussion, and balance the perspectives of the patient and the faculty member. |
| 6. Emphasize desired learning objectives: ask faculty to prepare 3–5 teaching slides to illustrate key concepts. |
| 7. Encourage resident participation: save time for questions. |