Adult Palliative Medicine

Welcome to the subspecialty Training in Adult Palliative Medicine at the University of Alberta.

Our mission for this training program is to prepare residents to be competent in the delivery, as part of the Inter-Professional team, of compassionate and ‘whole-person’ specialist palliative medicine to the patients and families throughout the trajectory of life-threatening illness. They will be prepared with robust clinical skills to provide specialist palliative care in a variety of settings, in a sustainable and fulfilling future practice.

Social accountability is a guiding principle in this mission, and in the delivery of this program, from admissions process to delivery of learning experience and curriculum content. Opportunities to do the work of Reconciliation, vital for all Canadians, will be integrated intentionally into this program. Highlighting the importance of cultural humility and respect for diversity, alongside sessions on honing communication skills, seminar sessions will include topics such as trauma-informed care, combating racism, and Indigenous health. Residents will have the opportunity to participate in Indigenous Cancer Patient Rounds with the Interprofessional team during their rotation with the Cross Cancer Institute Palliative Care team. The wellbeing program and sessions on teamwork and dealing with conflict help promote career sustainability and fulfilment and therefore optimise future care of patients and their families. In addition, ongoing commitment to improving the learning experience and program delivery will be key.

Dr. Sarah Burton-MacLeod
Program Director, Palliative Medicine

Interview/CARMS specific information

Interview Format

Interviews will be offered virtually and in panel format.

Selection Process Goals

We are looking for applicants with outstanding verbal and non-verbal communication skills. They need to be able to actively listen and convey empathy. They must be able to inspire confidence and earn the trust of patients and families. They must also work well within the team environment, respecting the rights and dignity of each and every patient, family, and co-worker. They must also have strong clinical strengths regarding their ability to gather, synthesize, and act upon complex clinical information.

Applicants must have their L.M.C.C. They must also either have Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Certification or be eligible for the RCPSC examination in Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, or Neurology, or be enrolled in a residency program in one of those disciplines. Other disciplines may be considered. A maximum of one year of training may be undertaken during the fourth or final year of residency training with joint program director approvals. Please see the Adult Palliative Medicine Training Experiences and Subspecialty Training Requirements in Adult Palliative Medicine for the RCPSC for additional details.

International applicants

At this time, we are only able to consider applicants with RCPSC certification or enrolled in RCPSC Residency Training Programs. Unfortunately, due to constraints in educational capacity, our previous International Fellowship program is on hold.

Contact

Program dates

A two-year program: July 1 (year 1) until June 30 (year 2).

Please refer to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for specific information on the mandated objectives for Residency Training Programs.

Our staff

Program highlights

Residency at a glance

Palliative Medicine is a two-year subspecialty program meeting the requirements of the RCPSC for subspecialty certification. The program will launch as competency-based learning as of July 2023.

Stages of CBC in the program

Program rotations

Remuneration

Residents will be paid according to the PARA (Professional Association of Residents of Alberta) agreement concerning remuneration of residents commensurate with their number of years of postgraduate training.

Resident responsibilities

Calls

Residents will have on-call responsibilities, carefully following PARA (same link as above on remuneration) guidelines, intermittently on weekends throughout the course of their two-year residency. Weekend on-call expectations are that they will round with the staff physician on each weekend day but then take calls from home following this. In addition, while rotating on the TPCU they will also be expected to take evening and overnight calls from home during the week.

On-call duties are only for coverage for the Tertiary Palliative Care Unit (TPCU). It is a home call. During the week call is taken on weeknights from home, then, throughout the two years, there is occasional weekend call to cover TPCU also. Weekend call entails coming in to round but then taking calls from home afterwards. No mandatory in-house call.

Research

Residents are required to complete a project during their residency, on scholarly research, quality improvement, program development or educational projects.

Program supports

Your education and health are our priority! We encourage all residents to take advantage of academic half-days, and resources to help you research, engage in rounds, participate in journal clubs and help deliver teaching on Tertiary Palliative Care Unit (TPCU).

We also facilitate a number of supports to ensure your success, including:

• Access to a wellbeing program developed specifically for residents in this program led by a Psychologist in our Division which includes an intrinsic seminar series as well as dedicated Wellness days
• A comprehensive fatigue-risk management policy specifically recognizing the emotional and psychological fatigue in the field of Palliative Medicine
• Participation in an established mentorship program where you will be assigned a mentor within the first month of residency. 
• Advocacy through the Residency Program Committee to ensure your voice is both heard and represented at all times, as well as regular meetings with the Program Director

Additional resources

• Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
• Alberta Health Services
• The City of Edmonton