Hospice and palliative medicine specialty strives to prepare physicians for aging baby boomers

Glenview, IL, 26 aug 2008– The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine announces two important medical education courses in hospice and palliative medicine and a significantly revised book series in keeping with the Academy's ongoing commitment to prevent and relieve pain and suffering during serious illness.
Hospice and palliative medicine physicians have demonstrated a unique skill set that is highly appealing to patients and those who care for them. Working together with a team of experienced healthcare professionals, these specialized physicians provide symptom management, pain relief, coordination of care and support to patients and their families during difficult times.
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is dedicated to meeting the increasing medical needs of the aging population by preparing more physicians to enter the specialty and educating doctors with an interest in hospice and palliative medicine to help improve patient care.
"Hospice and palliative medicine is a newly recognized medical subspecialty," says Porter Storey, MD, Executive Vice President of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. "This unique specialty reflects the need for specialized medical care for the growing number of older adults and persons with serious, complex, and chronic illnesses, which currently pose an enormous challenge to the healthcare industry."
Hospice and palliative medicine has been shown to provide excellent care at the end of life. Hospitals have determined that this type of care not only improves outcomes but also dramatically reduces costs. These services are becoming more widely available.
"There is a much greater demand than supply of physicians skilled in hospice and palliative medicine," explains Dr. Storey, who is a consultant in palliative care at Kaiser Permanente. "Well trained physicians in this field have unlimited opportunities. AAHPM is steadily expanding educational opportunities so that physicians who want to move into hospice and palliative medicine have more learning opportunities."
AAHPM is offering two medical education courses entitled "Current Concepts in Palliative Care: Update and Review Course" and "Hospice Medical Director Course," which will be held August 28-30, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Media representatives who would like to learn more about the specialty are welcome to attend.
Course Addresses Hot Issues in Field of Palliative Medicine
The "Current Concepts in Palliative Care: Update and Review Course" offers a thorough update on current practice, clinical advancements, and research updates in palliative care from experts in the field while providing a comprehensive foundation for the board certification exam.
The following hot topics will be addressed during the course: care of whole person and family, specialized care at the end of life, pain management and new hospice regulations, children and bereavement, and communication skills.
Course Prepares Physicians for Medical Director Role
The "Hospice Medical Director Course" is intended for hospice medical directors and for those interested in becoming medical directors.
The course covers what a good hospice medical director does and needs to know. Physicians learn strategies to overcome the administrative, regulatory, and clinical challenges that medical directors face on a daily basis.
UNIPAC Book Series Tackles Challenges Faced by Hospice and Palliative Care Physicians
The 3rd edition of the Hospice/Palliative Care Training for Physicians: UNIPAC book series has been extensively updated and provides readers with a solid foundation in the field. Update topics include the hospice/palliative medicine approach to care; psychological and spiritual pain in the seriously ill; assessment and treatment of pain; management of selected nonpain symptoms; communication and the interdisciplinary team; ethical and legal decision making; care of patients with HIV/AIDS; and pediatric palliative care.
"The UNIPAC book series helps to form a strong foundation for developing these skills," says Dr. Storey, who is co-author and editor of UNIPAC book series. "Like good textbooks, the UNIPAC booklets have multiple contributors and have been peer reviewed by the leaders in the field."
###
For more information about hospice and palliative medicine, the medical education courses, or the UNIPAC book series please contact Mary Louise Carr at mlcarr@aahpm.org or call 847/375-3688 or contact Amy Jenkins at amy@jenkinspublicrelations.com or phone 312-836-0613, or visit the AAHPM Web site at www.aahpm.org.
AAHPM's membership includes over 3,500 physicians and other medical professionals dedicated to excellence in palliative medicine and the prevention and relief of patient and family suffering. Since 1988, AAHPM has supported hospice and palliative medicine through advancement of clinical practice standards, fostering research, providing education, and through public policy advocacy. For more information contact AAHPM at 847/375-4712 or visit the Web site at www.aahpm.org.