IHS Core Curriculum

The aim of the Core Curriculum is to establish core competencies in general neurologists and headache specialists.

The Core Curriculum was initially published in 2011, and updated in 2014 and 2020.

The 2026 revision is now published in Cephalalgia.

The published paper describes the background and methodical approach of the IHS in developing and updating the current Core Curriculum in headache medicine and presents the output of the endeavour. The process has been guided by international expert consultation, evidence-based content development, and alignment with evolving scientific and clinical advances.

The 2026 updated Core Curriculum outlines a tiered approach for general neurologists and headache specialists, which includes advances in pathophysiology, diagnosis, therapeutics, multidisciplinary management, and internationally transferable training standards. This revised Core Curriculum will guide headache education worldwide and enable higher-quality patient care across a range of healthcare settings.

This Curriculum allows for flexibility, and the exact content should be further defined by local headache specialists in the country in which it is used.