Role of palliative care specialists
Many doctors working in palliative care have completed specialist training. Depending on their training they are known as either palliative medicine physicians or palliative medicine specialists. Palliative medicine physicians have completed advanced training in palliative medicine through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Palliative medicine specialists have completed training in other specialities, such as general practice, pain medicine, cancer medicine, psychiatry, and completed palliative medicine training through the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine.
Palliative care specialists and physicians have completed up to eight years or more of training after their initial university medical training. One of the strengths of palliative care in Australia is the different backgrounds and experience of the doctors who choose to specialise in palliative medicine. In general, the term palliative medicine specialist encompasses both physicians and specialists.
Palliative medicine has been recognised as a separate medical specialty in Australia. Several peak bodies have recognised the role of medicine in palliative care.
The Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) website has a position statement defining palliative care physicians and palliative care specialists.
The Australian Medical Association has a position statement on The Role of the Medical Practitioner in End-of-Life care 2007.
Working as a palliative care physician
- A personal Reflection: Nawaz. H (2007) Seeing patients with new eyes: A medical students’ path to palliative medicine through a camera’s lens Journal of Palliative Medicine Vol 10, No. 1
- Information on the latest workforce survey of the palliative medicine workforce in Australia and New Zealand can be found on the RACP website.
Palliative care education and training
There are different ways to develop your knowledge and skills in palliative care. Web based learning modules, short courses and specialist palliative care courses and training are offered in many organisations and universities. Further information can be found on the Education pages of CareSearch.
The Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA) is an initiative under the National Palliative Care Program. It is a supported multidisciplinary course with work placements, offered across the country funded until 2010.
The Royal Australian College of Physicians is responsible for training those who wish to become palliative care specialists. It is also responsible for providing a program of continuing professional development for Fellows of the Chapter of Palliative Medicine.
The Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine is a qualification for non-specialist doctors who wish to achieve post-graduation advanced skills in palliative medicine. This is suitable for doctors in general practice but also doctors who may have considerable contact with people likely to have significant end-of-life issues. This Clinical Diploma is coordinated by the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine. Applicants must be medical graduates with at least two years post qualification experience. They need to work in an approved palliative care position for six months.
The Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine is part of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Entry to the Chapter is through its training program or the RACP's Advanced Training program in Palliative Medicine. Details on the curriculum and accredited sites can be found at RACP site.
Education in palliative and end-of-life care (EPEC) Project is an American program providing online resources and and modules.
Research
Many health professions may be interested in looking at palliative care research questions in their area of specialty. This may be work that is planned for the future. Any palliative care professional regardless of discipline is able to access the CareSearch Research Data Management System (RDMS).
Resources
Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine
Policy Document for the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine: Development of a Medical Subspecialty in Palliative Medicine: progress report.
Palliative care links and information
Palliative Care Australia is the peak national organisation representing the interests and aspirations of all who share the ideal of quality care at the end of life for all. It has produced the following policy documents:
The Department of Health and Ageing website has a palliative care section.