How to Become a Board Certified Palliative Care Physician

Steps to become a Board Certified Palliative Care Physician

• Earn a Bachelor's Degree (4 Years) and take the MCAT
• Earn a Medical Degree (4 Years)
• Complete a Residency Program (3-8 Years)
• Complete a Fellowship in Palliative Care (1 Year)

Keep reading below for more details.

Step 1 - Earn a Bachelor's Degree (4 Years) Start with a bachelor's degree, ideally in a pre-med program, to complete the necessary math and science prerequisites for medical school. Suggested coursework includes general and organic chemistry, biology, physics, calculus, microbiology, genetics, physiology, and some humanities and psychology classes. Maintaining high grades and preparing for the MCAT are essential.

Step 2 - Take the MCAT The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a critical step for medical school admission. It is a 7.5-hour exam divided into four sections:

• Biological & Biochemical Foundations
• Chemical & Physical Foundations
• Psychological, Social, & Biological Foundations
• Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills

Step 3 - Earn a Medical Degree (4 Years) Enroll in either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program. Both focus on similar treatments, but DO programs also emphasize osteopathic medicine.

Step 4 - Complete a Residency Program (3-8 Years) Residency involves hands-on training under supervision in a specialty such as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, or one of multiple other options.

Step 5 - Complete a Fellowship in Palliative Care (1 Year) After residency, pursue a one-year accredited fellowship in palliative care. This specialized training expands your expertise in hospice and palliative medicine. Some programs may include additional tracks in research, geriatrics, or public health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Nurse Practitioners can earn board certification in palliative care by passing the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) exam, which focuses on the nursing-specific scope of practice. Physicians, on the other hand, achieve board certification in hospice and palliative medicine after completing residency, a one year fellowship, and after passing the board certification exam.

Becoming a fellowship-trained physician involves:

• 4 years of undergraduate education
• 4 years of medical school
• 3-8 years of residency, depending on the chosen specialty
• 1 year of a palliative care fellowship

In total, it typically requires 12-16 years of education and training to achieve fellowship-trained status.

For physicians preparing for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) board exam, there are several key resources:

• AAHPM Review Course : A comprehensive preparation program tailored for the HPM physician exam can be found on this website .
• MD Anderson Review Course : A specialized course offering detailed insights and preparation materials. Learn more about the MD Anderson course here .

For Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses preparing for the ACHPN or CHPN exams, resources like our comprehensivereview course and question bankalign with the ACHPN and CHPN exam blueprints. These resources are highly effective for NP and RN certification preparation.

A well-structured review course provides:

• A detailed understanding of exam content.
• Practice questions tailored to the specific exam blueprint.
• Study schedules and strategies to enhance retention.