Unpacking neuropsychiatry and behavioural neurology training: scoping review of core syllabus components

There is no consensus on core curriculum content for neuropsychiatry and behavioural neurology training and the breadth of topic coverage is poorly understood. Using a scoping review, we identified 23 unique syllabuses from Australia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and the UK, and one explicitly international in scope.

Syllabuses addressed a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions, encompassing not only overlapping psychiatric and neurological disorders, but also functional, behavioural and cognitive disorders. Training integrated knowledge from neuropsychology, philosophy, ethics and social sciences. Core elements included clinical assessment, intervention skills and case management in social and institutional settings. Neuropsychiatry and behavioural neurology training integrates a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills, is aimed at a range of professionals and is delivered as both specialist training and embedded components within core training.

The core components of neuropsychiatry curricula identified in this study provide a foundation for institutions to develop or enhance their neuropsychiatry training programs.