Medical Specialist: Hospice an...

Medical Specialist: Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Hospice and palliative-medicine specialists provide end-of-life care to patients with terminal illness or intractable pain. Because it is multi-disciplinary, comprehensive care for patients with complex pain, psychosocial, spiritual and palliative care needs, there are several tracks for training. Candidates for a one- to two-year fellowship in hospice and palliative-care medicine are doctors who have completed residency and are Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Psychiatry or Neurology. This subspecialty of 10 disciplines was approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in 2006, and the first certifications will be issued in October of 2008.

Reference:

American Board of Medical Specialties 2006-2008.