Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Program

The Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is a one-year ACGME-accredited program designed to train and mentor future leaders in the specialty. Aimed at developing compassion and clinical excellence, the program has been providing advanced training since 2003, focusing on a diverse patient population across various care settings including acute hospital care, ambulatory care, long-term care, hospice, and pediatrics.

The program offers two fellowship positions each year, providing a robust experience centered on clinical care, education, and research. Exposure to a wide range of clinical environments is facilitated through training at affiliated institutions such as Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Brenner Children's Hospital, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Trellis Supportive Care, Hospice of the Piedmont, and Bermuda Village, ensuring comprehensive fellowship training with multifaceted clinical experiences 1.

Curriculum Structure

The fellowship curriculum is meticulously structured around the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies. The core components of the curriculum include:

• Extensive clinical rotations encompassing 4-5 months in inpatient palliative care and home hospice.
• Participation in scholarly activities and various seminars.
• Opportunities for research and personal development through electives and longitudinal continuity clinics.

This holistic curriculum aims to not only fulfill the requirements to sit for the board certification exam but also to equip fellows with expertise in assessing and managing symptoms related to serious illnesses, effective communication skills, and the ability to incorporate interdisciplinary teamwork in future clinical practices 3.

Clinical Rotations

The clinical curriculum is organized quarterly and includes engagements in a range of specialty areas. Key rotations comprise:

• Inpatient Palliative Care Consults: Involves participation in a service that receives over 1200 consults per year.
• Inpatient Hospice: Six weeks dedicated to gaining experience in specialized end-of-life care.
• Pediatric Palliative Care: A three-week rotation focusing on pediatric-specific palliative care practices.
• Electives: Opportunities to explore diverse fields including Interventional Pain Management, Geriatric Medicine, and Clinical Oncology.

Fellows also have the possibility of a longitudinal experience within the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, allowing them to track patient progress throughout the year 4.

Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes the importance of research engagement, requiring fellows to complete a quality improvement project during their fellowship year. Each fellow is assigned mentors who guide them through the process of undertaking significant research. This can include topics relating to palliative care delivery, pain management concepts, and quality of life assessments of patients with advanced illnesses 8.

Application Process

To apply for the fellowship, candidates must possess an M.D. or equivalent degree and must have completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency program. The program welcomes both U.S. and international graduates, although applicants from non-U.S. medical schools must hold USMLE certification. Notably, the program does not accept H-1B visas, which may impact international applicants 6.

The application process involves submission via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), including key documents such as a personal statement, CV, and letters of recommendation. Selection is based on various attributes including academic record, clinical skills, and interviews conducted from August to November 5.

Diversity and Inclusion

The program is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values diversity among fellows. It emphasizes recruitment from a variety of backgrounds aimed at enriching the educational experience and improving patient care outcomes. This commitment extends to training future leaders who actively contribute to advancing palliative medicine on multiple fronts, including in research and clinical settings 2.

Benefits and Lifestyle

Fellows at Wake Forest enjoy competitive salary packages framed by the residency PGY level, along with generous CME budgets and comprehensive health and insurance benefits. Additional support includes vacation time allowing for a balanced life alongside their demanding schedules. The program fosters a supportive community, encouraging fellows to engage in self-care activities and facilitating personal growth throughout their training period 7.