Spartanburg Medical Center Program

This program offers a comprehensive and rigorous training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM), suitable for graduates aiming to excel in either academic or community-based settings. As the first accredited fellowship in HPM in South Carolina, this one-year program is structured to cultivate skillful and knowledgeable clinicians who can effectively manage patients with serious illnesses.

The training is multi-faceted and includes diverse experiences across various clinical venues. Fellows engage with an inpatient consult service, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, a dedicated 15-bed inpatient hospice house, and home hospice services. This range ensures that fellows gain a holistic understanding of patient care in different environments, enhancing their ability to navigate complex cases 1.

Program Structure

The curriculum is designed to ensure comprehensive exposure to all aspects of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The program spans a total of 52 weeks, which includes:

• 14 weeks in Inpatient Palliative Care
• 13 weeks in Hospice (including both Hospice Home and home visits)
• 6 weeks in Complex Medicine
• 4 weeks in Oncology subspecialties
• 4 weeks in long-term care/nursing home palliative care
• 2 weeks in Pediatrics
• 4 weeks dedicated to electives
• 2 weeks in Home Palliative Care

This structure allows flexibility for fellows to tailor their experiences through discretionary time, ensuring that individual interests and career goals are met 1.

Fellowship Milestones and Evaluation

The fellowship includes a robust evaluation process assessing competencies in various clinical settings. Fellows participate in feedback sessions and are evaluated through mechanisms such as:

• Monthly meetings with program leadership
• In-service examinations
• 360-degree evaluations
• Regular feedback from interdisciplinary team members

This system ensures that fellows continuously receive mentorship and guidance, fostering both personal and professional development throughout the program 1.

Research and Didactic Training

Research is an important component of the fellowship, where fellows engage in supervised projects, enhancing their academic prowess and clinical knowledge. Didactic sessions cover a vast array of topics critical to HPM, with the expectation that fellows will also participate as educators by delivering lectures throughout the year. Specific training in communications is emphasized, equipping fellows with necessary skills to interact effectively with patients and families 1.4.

Application Process and Eligibility

The application process for this fellowship is competitive. Eligible candidates should possess an MD or DO degree, have completed three years of postgraduate training, and ideally be board-eligible or certified in specialties such as internal medicine, family practice, or oncology. Candidates are required to submit three letters of recommendation, including one from their residency director, and a personal statement outlining their motivations for pursuing a career in HPM 2.

Visa Support

This program is open to international medical graduates and offers visa sponsorship, specifically for J-1 visas. This makes the fellowship accessible to a diverse array of candidates, promoting inclusivity and multicultural perspectives within the training environment 1.

Program Competitiveness

The Spartanburg Medical Center's program in Hospice and Palliative Medicine is highly regarded, with a supportive environment for both US and international graduates. While competitiveness exists, particularly among US medical graduates, the program is accommodating to DO and international medical graduates, promoting a diverse cohort of fellows 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

This program is notable for its commitment to personalized training, providing a small fellowship environment that allows for direct mentorship and close collaboration with faculty. The interdisciplinary approach, with various specialists involved in education and patient care, ensures fellows receive a well-rounded experience. Faculty are dedicated to teaching and have diverse professional interests, further enriching the educational experience 3.