Supervising Committee

Specialist Advisory Committee in Palliative Medicine (SAC).

Definition of Specialty

Palliative medicine is the study and management of patients with active, progressive, far advanced disease, for which the prognosis is limited and the focus of care is the quality of life. Palliative medicine includes bereavement support.

General Principles

1. Advanced training for a consultant physician in palliative medicine is based on a broad experience in palliative medicine as well as specific experience in cancer medicine and general medicine.
   
2. The emphasis for the specialist physician trainee is on clinical aspects of palliative medicine, diagnosis and appropriate management of major symptoms on the basis of relevant pathophysiology and clinical pharmacology; and awareness of a range of medical and nonmedical options available for the management of palliative care patients.
   
3. Whilst emphasis is on the development of clinical skills, it is essential that an understanding be developed of the principles of comprehensive palliative medicine and the role of the palliative medicine physician in coordinating other professional staff.
   
4. It is recommended that the period of training should be spent in more than one palliative medicine service.

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