What kind of Physician specializes in Hospice and Palliative Medicine?

A hospice and palliative medicine specialist is a specially-trained physician who works to prevent and relieve the suffering experienced by the terminally ill patient.

Working with a hospice or palliative care team, this physician seeks to improve the quality of life for patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses, addressing the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patient and the patient’s family as well as the patient’s physical needs.¹

What special training is required for a doctor to become Board Certified in the Specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine?

In order to become Board-Certified in Hospice and Palliative medicine, a physician must first complete a 3-year residency in one of 10 medical disciplines: Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Psychiatry and Neurology, Radiology or Surgery, and become Board Certified in that specialty. A 12-month fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine is then required before a physician can seek certification as a Hospice and Palliative specialist.²

What kind of Treatment does a Hospice and Palliative medical specialist provide?

These empathetic physicians emphasize the care of seriously ill and dying patients with life-limiting illnesses as a feature of their medical practice. They focus on relieving suffering and improving the quality of life for patients and families living with life-threatening illness. The care that they provide includes alleviating pain and symptom management for the dying patient, as well as helping patients and families to cope with loss, obtain closure at the end of life, and engage in effective grieving.³

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¹ American Board of Medical Specialties, http://www.certificationmatters.org/abms-member-boards/emergency-medicine.aspx
² American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, http://www.abpn.com/cert_hospice.html
³ Ibid.