Palliative Medicine Specialty Profile

Historically, Australian palliative care specialists have gained expertise in their field through experience rather than formal training. Although a training program in palliative medicine was developed by the RACP in the early 1990s, the field has only been a formally recognized specialty since 2005. Palliative medicine involves the management of patients with incurable, progressive and advanced disease for whom the focus of care is quality of life. It involves the holistic management of patients from physical, psychosocial and spiritual perspectives, along with the provision of support to patients’ families and caregivers. There remains an “art” to palliative medicine: There are many gaps in the evidence base and symptoms may not respond to recognized therapies requiring a willingness to innovate. Palliative care physicians are key members of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with medical, nursing and allied health services. They require excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Palliative medicine is a rewarding medical specialty which relieves suffering in the lives of many. It can also be emotionally demanding due to the complexities that surround end-of-life care.

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Palliative Medicine Training Program

Training Program

The Palliative Medicine Education Committee (PMEC) oversees training and assessment in palliative medicine. There are a number of pathways for entry into advanced training in palliative medicine. Trainees may enter the palliative medicine advanced training after completing the basic physician... more

Application process

After completing basic training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) or holding Fellowship in another medical specialty, trainees may apply for training in palliative medicine. At present, in most states trainees are required to apply to individual hospitals... more

Length of Training

Advanced training in palliative medicine is 3 years full time or equivalent. This consists of two years core training in palliative care in a number of settings (hospice, teaching hospital consultation service, community). Additional non-core training in oncology (medical, radiation,... more

Cost of Training

See Physicians - Cost of Training... more

Availability/Competition for training positions

With an ageing population and an increasing demand for specialist palliative care there is likely to be an ongoing shortage of specialists and good availability of training positions.... more

Flexibility in Training

Training is normally full time, however training may be undertaken full time or part time, or a combination of both. Advanced training must be completed within 7 years otherwise further training will be required. Trainees are permitted to undertake training... more

References

Careers in Medicine – The UNITED Handbook, 10th Edition 2006 Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Adult Internal Medicine. Palliative Medicine Training Manual, Supervised by the Combined Palliative Medicine Education Committee, 2008 1st edition Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Adult Internal... more

Palliative Medicine Workplace

The workplace

The majority of patients referred to palliative care physicians have cancer-related symptoms, although increasingly patients with a non-cancer diagnosis (e.g end stage organ failure) are being seen. Patients are referred to palliative care physicians by general practitioners or other specialists... more

The workplace

The majority of patients referred to palliative care physicians have cancer-related symptoms, although increasingly patients with a non-cancer diagnosis (e.g end stage organ failure) are being seen. Patients are referred to palliative care physicians by general practitioners or other specialists... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Palliative care physicians often develop close relationships with patients and their families. They are experts in discussing difficult and confronting issues with a positive, compassionate, caring and empathic approach. Elderly patients predominate, however patients from a wide age range are... more

Intellectual content

The practice of palliative medicine requires a solid foundation of oncological and general medical knowledge, given the patient population encountered and the range of body systems affected by advanced disease. There is a focus on pathophysiology and clinical pharmacology as... more

Medical indemnity

Use our risk category tool to see what risk category is assigned to this specialty.... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

Palliative medicine offers opportunities for full and part time practice in public and private hospitals, with the vast majority of palliative care physicians located in metropolitan areas. A significant proportion of palliative care physicians consult from private rooms or public... more

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