A Survey of Pediatric Neurocritical Care Fellowship Training in North America

Abstract

Background: Pediatric neurocritical care (PNCC) has emerged as a field to care for children at the intersection of critical illness and neurological dysfunction. PNCC fellowship programs evolved over the past decade to train physicians to fill this clinical need. We aimed to characterize PNCC fellowship training infrastructure and curriculum in the United States and Canada.

Methods: Web-based survey of PNCC fellowship program leaders during November 2019 to January 2020.

Results: There were 14 self-identified PNCC fellowship programs. The programs were supported by Child Neurology and/or Pediatric Critical Care Medicine divisions at tertiary/quaternary care institutions. Most programs accepted trainees who were board-eligible or board-certified in child neurology or pediatric critical care medicine. Clinical training consisted mostly of rotations providing PNCC consultation (n = 13) or as a provider on the pediatric intensive care unit-based neurointensive care team (n = 2). PNCC-specific didactics were delivered at most institutions (n = 13). All institutions provided training in electroencephalography use in the intensive care unit and declaration of death by neurological criteria (n = 14). Scholarly activity was supported by most programs, including protected time for research (n = 10).

Conclusions: We characterized PNCC fellowship training in the United States and Canada, which in this continuously evolving field, lays the foundation for exploring standardization of training going forward.

Keywords: Critical illness; Graduate Medical Education; Intensive care units; Neurological disorder; Neurology; Pediatric.