Interprofessional Specialty Palliative Care Clinical Education and Training

Abstract

Abstract According to the National Consensus Project guidelines, palliative care is delivered by team members who have completed specialist training and education. In the U.S., this can occur through academic programs, conferences, and post graduate programs that provide content related to specialist practice including content necessary to manage the physical, psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of care within the collaboration of the interprofessional team. This chapter summarizes available interprofessional specialty clinical palliative care educational opportunities, including fellowships, residencies, and immersion courses and the current state of policy related to comprehensive interprofessional education. Discussion of barriers and opportunities for interprofessional specialty palliative care education is offered, using available literature and expert opinion derived from surveys, interviews, and communication with palliative care thought leaders. Case studies, pearls of wisdom, and reflection questions support the integration of interprofessional education into specialty palliative care clinical education.