Jefferson Health Medical Education/Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital offers a comprehensive one-year ACGME-accredited training experience, aimed at developing specialists in palliative care. The program accepts two fellows each year, allowing for an intimate and collaborative learning environment focused on caring for seriously ill patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. A distinctive emphasis on restorative and rehabilitative care is woven into the curriculum through partnerships with Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation.

Fellows are immersed in a multidisciplinary environment that enhances their skill set in both academic and community-based palliative medicine practice. Regular didactic sessions and teaching opportunities for rotating residents facilitate a culture of mentorship and continuous education. The supportive atmosphere emphasizes work-life balance, which the faculty values as essential for productive learning and personal well-being 1.

Program Aims

The fellowship aims to cultivate professionals who can:

1. Expertly manage pain and symptoms using the best available evidence.
2. Engage in specialty-level communication and support complex medical decision-making for patients and referring colleagues.
3. Recognize the role of palliative medicine in both restorative and rehabilitative contexts.
4. Interface with resource management and public health initiatives within palliative care.
5. Participate in the establishment and growth of palliative medicine programs.
6. Educate other clinicians in primary palliative care principles.
7. Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary team members, including nursing, social work, and chaplaincy.
8. Fulfill the responsibilities of a hospice medical director, understanding the complex clinical and regulatory interactions involved.

Curriculum

The formal curriculum spans various clinical rotations focused on inpatient and outpatient palliative medicine, hospice, and long-term care. Key components include:

• Inpatient Palliative Medicine Consults: 5 months of direct consult experience.
• Pediatrics: TBD based on agreements between the fellow and program director.
• Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation: 1 month.
• Hospice: 2.5 months through a partnership with KeystoneCare, a local non-profit hospice.
• Quality Improvement (QI) and Research: 1 month dedicated to scholarly activities.
• Electives: 2.5 months to explore various related specialties.

Fellows will engage in an active ambulatory practice, collaborating with attending physicians and team members to provide continuity of care across various settings 3. The curriculum also includes integrated learning experiences from the KeystoneCare program, which encourages hands-on palliative care in home and community settings, fostering expertise in end-of-life care and family dynamics.

Research and Mentorship

The fellowship emphasizes research as a pivotal component of palliative care education. Faculty serve as mentors, guiding fellows in developing research inquiries and supporting them in navigating academic literature and evidence-based practice approaches. The program's commitment to teaching effective communication skills further enhances fellows' capacities to interact with patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike 3.

Faculty and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The program boasts a diverse faculty equipped to guide fellows through their training. The faculty's collaborative approach engenders a rich educational experience that combines insights from various healthcare disciplines. Throughout the fellowship, fellows are encouraged to build strong relationships with faculty mentors and interdisciplinary team members 4.

Visa Support and Application Requirements

Applicants must successfully graduate from an ACGME-approved residency program prior to commencing fellowship training. The program welcomes J-1 visa holders but does not currently offer H-1B visa sponsorship 2. While there are no explicit maximum criteria for STEP exam failures, having a strong academic record is critical for competitiveness in the application process.

Competitiveness

The fellowship program is quite competitive, reflecting its focus on producing skilled palliative care specialists. Previous training experiences in related fields, such as internal medicine or family medicine, are beneficial. The program is described as friendly to both DO and international medical graduate (IMG) applicants, supporting a diverse applicant pool.