Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship after Surgical Training: A Roadmap to the Future of Surgical Palliative Care

Abstract

Surgeons comprise only 2% of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) board-certified physicians. Little is known about the motivations of individuals who pursue this combined training or the perceived benefits of this pathway. This study aimed to capture the pathways and experiences of HPM fellowship trained surgeons and to establish recommendations for surgical trainees who may benefit from HPM fellowship training. A qualitative study was designed using semi-structured zoom interviews that elicited experiences of HPM trained surgeons. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Researchers were from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Participants were trained and worked across the United States in a variety of settings. Eligibility included completion of a 1-year HPM fellowship and training in general surgery, general obstetrics and gynecology, or affiliated subspecialties. Seventeen interviews were conducted. All participants expressed satisfaction with their HPM fellowship training. Four themes emerged as recommendations for surgeons to pursue HPM fellowship training: 1) a commitment to joining the HPM workforce, 2) becoming ambassadors for HPM and surgical culture change, 3) desire for advanced communication and symptom management skills at the specialist level, and 4) specialist level HPM skills may enhance surgical career. HPM fellowship training is achievable through multiple pathways for surgeons from a variety of training backgrounds.