Background: The field of hospice and palliative medicine has grown to include more than 50 fellowship training programs. In 2007 hospice and palliative medicine received American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) recognition as a subspecialty of medicine. Palliative medicine fellowships will begin formal accreditation under the American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in 2008.
Objective: This paper details how one academic institution complied with draft ACGME Program Requirements for Fellowship Education in Hospice and Palliative Medicine addressing training sites and experiences by utilizing innovative community partnerships.
Results: Through carefully designed collaborative partnerships with community organizations three draft ACGME requirements for accreditation were met. It is anticipated that the program will receive full accreditation through the ACGME in 2008.