Ohio State University Hospital Program

The Ohio State University Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship is a prestigious ACGME-accredited program dedicated to training the next generation of physicians and leaders in the domain of serious illness care. Offering a comprehensive one-year fellowship, the program is designed to develop proficient palliative care providers capable of thriving in various settings, including ambulatory, hospice, and hospital-based care that caters to diverse patient populations.

Annually, the program accommodates four fellows, emphasizing a robust curriculum that integrates clinical experiences, workshops, and mentoring to enhance both practical skills and academic acumen essential for future leaders, clinical educators, or researchers in the field. The fellowship is housed within the Division of Palliative Medicine, part of the Department of Internal Medicine.

Program Features

One unique feature of the program is the availability of a combined adult/pediatric track that includes collaborations between the Ohio State University and the Pediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital. This track is particularly beneficial for those interested in embracing hospice and palliative medicine across age groups.

Curriculum and Rotations

The fellowship structure comprises various blocks that detail specific rotations:

• For the Adult Program:
• 1 Block: Boot Camp
• 5 Blocks: Inpatient Palliative Medicine Consultation Service
• 2.5 Blocks: Home Hospice
• 1 Block: Elective
• 1 Block: Research/Quality Improvement Project
• 1 Block: Long-Term Care
• 1 Block: Inpatient Pediatric Palliative Medicine Consultation Service
• 0.5 Block: Pharmacology
• For the Combined Adult/Pediatric Program:
• 1 Block: Boot Camp
• 2 Blocks: Inpatient Adult Palliative Medicine Consultation Service
• 1.5 Blocks: Adult Home Hospice
• 1 Block: Pediatric Home Hospice
• 2 Blocks: Elective (e.g., Interventional Pain, Geriatrics)
• 1 Block: Research/Quality Improvement Project
• 1 Block: Long-Term Care
• 3 Blocks: Inpatient Pediatric Palliative Medicine Consultation Service
• 0.5 Block: Pharmacology

Each block typically spans four weeks, encompassing a total of 13 blocks throughout the fellowship year.

Continuity Clinic and Rotations

Fellows will engage in an ambulatory clinic weekly, where they will manage a diverse array of patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, lung disease, and neurological disorders. For those following the Adult/Pediatric track, time will be divided between the Adult Palliative Care Clinic at Ohio State and the Complex Care Clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Specialty rotations include extensive exposure to various healthcare settings:

• The James Comprehensive Cancer Center: Providing care to a variety of patients with different stages of cancer.
• University Hospital: Focusing on a diverse patient demographic across numerous care settings.
• The Ross Heart Hospital: Concentrated on patients dealing with advanced heart conditions.
• East Hospital: Covering critical care in a community hospital environment.
• Pediatrics Rotation: Involves caring for children with complex palliative needs at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
• Hospice Rotation: Involves interdisciplinary care for patients in a hospice setting.

Unique Aspects and Training Environment

The program strongly emphasizes interdisciplinary education. Most educational sessions are collaborative among fellows at various associated institutions, including OhioHealth and Nationwide Children's Hospital. This ensures a rich learning environment through shared knowledge across various specialties and experiences shared among fellows from different healthcare facilities.

Application Process

To qualify, applicants must have completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency in specified fields, including Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and others. They must also be board-certified or board-eligible and demonstrate ongoing pursuit of certification. Fellow applicants go through the ERAS application system.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program is known to be competitive, accepting both DO and IMG applicants. Visa sponsorship may be available, depending on the fellow's specific circumstances, with options typically including J-1 and H-1B visa types for international medical graduates who meet the requirements.

Additional Training Opportunities

Fellows participate in structured educational activities, covering important topics such as ethics, communication, billing, and chemical dependency, enabling them to develop a comprehensive understanding of palliative care.