Protected didactic time includes grand rounds, core content, case presentations, journal club and research conferences. In addition, we use the state-of-the-art Hannaford Simulation lab for several intensive communication training sessions. These sessions are inter-disciplinary.
Over the course of the year the following content areas are addressed:
- Introduction to Palliative Medicine
- Symptom management
- Disease specific palliative medicine: cardiac, pulmonary, and neurologic diseases; end stage renal disease, end stage liver disease, cancer and trauma.
- Estimating and communicating prognosis
- Communication skills training, utilizing both the Serious Illness Communication Guide and VitalTalk methods
- The role of spiritual care, social work, and ethics in palliative medicine
- Hospice and end of life care
- Clinician health, resiliency, mindfulness
- System level palliative medicine, administration, and delivery of care
A highlight of our didactic curriculum is our collaboration with other Northern New England HPM fellowship programs. We gather three times a year for interdisciplinary educational retreats focusing on essential symptom management skills, in depth communication training, and preparation for independent practice.
