Medical Officers' Careers Guide: Palliative Medicine

Description

Palliative Medicine is the study and management of patients with active, progressive and far-advanced disease, for whom the prognosis is limited and the focus of care is on their quality of life. Palliative Medicine involves comprehensive symptom management, and support of individuals with life-limiting illness and their families, carried out by a palliative care team. The management of pain and other symptoms, and of psychological, social and spiritual problems is paramount. Palliative Medicine includes bereavement and family support.

Entry requirements to Training Program

There are two (2) pathways:

1.          Eligibility and entry requirements for RACP Advanced Training

Trainees may apply to enter an Advanced Training Program following their satisfactory completion of Basic Training requirements, including success in the Written and Clinical Examinations, and appointment to an accredited Advanced Training position.

2.         Eligibility and entry requirements for AChPM Advanced Training

Trainees may apply to enter an Advanced Training Program after obtaining Fellowship of another College (e.g. Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners). Upon acceptance into the training program, trainees should seek appointment to an accredited Advanced Training position.

Trainees must be a Fellow of one the following colleges/faculties:

• Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FRANZCA)
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM)
• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG)
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP)
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR)
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP)
• Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP)
• Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (FAFRM)
• Faculty of Pain Medicine (FFPMANZCA)
• Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FJFICM)

Selection of Advanced Trainees is a centralised process through the QH RMO Campaign for available positions in Queensland.

Overview of Training Program

Three (3) years of advanced training:

• 30 months core units
• 6 months elective units

What rotations are recommended prior to applying for training

If previous exposure to Palliative Care has been sufficient for you to decide that the training pathway is for you, then it is highly recommended to dedicate your time to gaining experience in non-palliative care specialties to develop a broad knowledge base prior to undertaking dedicated training.

• General Medicine
• Renal
• Oncology

TPCH has current accreditation for two (2) advanced training positions

• Can offer exposure to all aspects of clinical Palliative Care (16 bed inpatient unit, tertiary facility, consultation liaison and community care)
• Good continuing educational opportunities in a tertiary, teaching hospital
• No night shift

These questions will vary from Program to Program as thought to be most relevant. If you have any suggestions as to how the information on this site can be improved, please comment. 

• The number of positions each year depend on the newly formed training oversight committee (2012) so selection for AT positions is now a statewide centralized process through the QH RMO campaign

• Palliative Care Australia has created guidelines on recommended workforce levels. Currently Queensland has only 1/3  to 1/2 the recommended consultant workforce, however, current budget constraints mean that there are very few immediate vacancies as a specialist in the public sector.

Medical Education Unit
Email:   TPCH-Medical-Education@health.qld.gov.au
Phone: 3139 4221

Editor:  Dr James Stevenson, Clinical Director

 Reviewed: March 2018