Medical

Becoming a Palliative Medicine Specialist

The recognised specialist qualifications in New Zealand and Australia are awarded by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). They are Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and Fellowship of the Chapter of Palliative Medicine (FAChPM).

FRACP
Via Royal Australasian College of Physicians training.

Once a candidate has done Basic Physician Training and passed the written and oral examinations of the RACP, they can apply to enter Palliative Medicine training. This specialist training is generally a three-year programme, which includes palliative care in a hospice, in the community, and in a hospital palliative care team. There is also a mandatory oncology module. As well as the modules, there is a case study and project to complete. On finishing this training they are awarded FRACP and FAChPM.

FAChPM
Via the Chapter of Palliative Medicine, under the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

If a candidate holds a Fellowship from another appropriate college, they can apply to enter Chapter of Palliative Medicine training. Once accepted, the specialist training is the same as for a candidate who has come up through the RACP basic training and examinations. A list of appropriate colleges is in the Palliative Medicine Advanced Training Programme Handbook, available from the RACP website. On finishing this training they are awarded FAChPM.

Becoming a Palliative Medicine Medical Officer.

A Medical Officer is a registered medical practitioner who does not have specialist qualifications. They are registered under a general scope of practice, rather than a vocational (e.g. palliative medicine) scope of practice. It is expected that a medical officer working in palliative medicine will have a specific collegial relationship with a vocationally registered palliative medicine specialist.

To work as a medical officer there are no post-graduate qualifications currently required. However further training is recommended, such as the Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine, available through the Chapter of Palliative Medicine and several International Universities.
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Australian and New Zealand Society for Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM)

ANZSPM is the specialty medical society that facilitates professional development and support for its members and promotes the practice of palliative medicine to improve the quality of care of patients with life threatening illnesses and support for their families. The core business of ANZSPM is supporting trainees, conducting CPD activities such as functions, conferences and workshops, providing specialist advice and support to other organisations, and communicating relevant information to members.
Membership is offered to doctors who can demonstrate a commitment to clinical practice, research, education or administration in palliative medicine.
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