Hospice and Palliative Medicine is a subspecialty designed to recognize excellence among physicians who are specialists in the care of seriously ill and dying patients with life-limiting illness. The field of hospice and palliative medicine is based on expanding scientific knowledge about symptom control when cure is not possible, and about appropriate care during the last months of life.

Initial certification information is for candidates who are certified in radiation oncology, but who have not yet certified in hospice and palliative medicine.

The Certificate
by Bruce G. Haffty, MD Trustee, American Board of Radiology

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has recently approved the establishment of an ABMS recognized certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Previously radiation oncologists, oncologists, internists, anesthesiologists and other specialists may have been involved in the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine ( www.abhpm.org ), which has worked for over 10 years in promoting excellence in the delivery of medical care for advanced progressive illnesses and developing standards for training and practice in palliative medicine. This board no longer provides certification examinations.

The official ABMS certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine is administered through the American Board of Internal Medicine. Recognizing that a wide range of specialists is involved in this discipline, 10 boards of the ABMS, including the American Board of Radiology, are co-sponsors of this new ABMS recognized discipline. Other cosponsoring boards include the American Board of Anesthesiology, The American Board of Emergency Medicine, The American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and the American Board of Surgery.

Although the program is primarily administered through the American Board of Internal Medicine, diplomates of any of the co-sponsoring boards are eligible to obtain certification, if they meet essential eligibility requirements and pass a certifying examination.

During a five-year grandfathering period from 2008 through 2012, those interested who meet specified eligibility criteria will be able to obtain certification by applying to their respective primary board (ABR) and taking a certifying examination (written exam only). During this five-year grandfathering period, additional formal training will not be required.

Currently, in addition to certification by the respective board (ABR certification) and an unrestricted state license to practice medicine, it is expected that the candidate should have at least two years of subspecialty level practice of hospice and palliative medicine (averaging at least 20% of the applicant's time), including at least two years and 100 hours of participation with a hospice or palliative care team and active care of at least 50 terminally ill patients.

Following the initial five-year grandfathering period, candidates will need to do a full one year fellowship (following their primary board certification) in an approved Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship Program to be eligible for the examination.

For those interested in this certification, registration and application are available through the ABR.

When you have completed all that is required for the MOC cycle, you are issued a new certificate which shows interested parties that you are keeping up with the latest developments in your field and can thereby render high-quality service.

A certificate granted by this Board does not of itself confer, or purport to confer, any degree, or legal qualifications, privileges, or license to practice radiology.

For further information contact:
American Board of Radiology
520-790-2900
information@TheABR.org