Abstract
The role of palliative care in patients with cancer is widely acknowledged and practiced.
Though its role in chronic, progressive, and incurable neurological conditions is
being recognized now, it is not widely practiced. Lack of awareness and training are
important factors contributing to this. Neurological patients differ from oncological
patients with respect to their symptoms, fluctuating disease course, varied prognoses,
and difficulty in identifying end-of-life stage. Knowledge of different neurological
conditions is important to practice neuropalliative care appropriately. Growth of
neuropalliative care services must begin with the neurologist at the center of the
multidisciplinary team. Neurologists need to be trained in communication skills and
advance care planning, and must be aware of end-of-life care, do-not-resuscitate policies,
and withdrawal of life support measures. This article elaborates on these aspects
of neuropalliative care and discusses its role in various neurological conditions.
Keywords
neuropalliative care - end-of-life care - do-not-resuscitate - amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis
