After consideration of a comprehensive proposal prepared by ABEM diplomates in conjunction with the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, a board that is not a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), ABEM joined nine other ABMS member boards in sponsoring the newly-approved subspecialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM).  At its September 19, 2006, meeting, ABMS approved the application for this subspecialty.

Ten ABMS member boards, including ABEM, are co-sponsoring subspecialty certification in HPM:  American Board of Internal Medicine, the lead and administrative board; American Board of Anesthesiology, ABEM, American Board of Family Medicine, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Board of Pediatrics, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, American Board of Radiology, and American Board of Surgery. 

The general HPM eligibility criteria include the following:

·          Be a diplomate in good standing of ABEM

·          Fulfill the ABEM Policy on Medical Licensure

·          ABEM must be able to verify a physician’s clinical competence in HPM

There are two application pathways: a training pathway and a practice pathway. The requirements of the training pathway are that the physician has satisfactorily completed 12 months of HPM subspecialty training.  HPM training undertaken July 1, 2010, and after must be completed in a fellowship that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).  HPM training completed prior to July 2, 2010, must be conducted in affiliation with an ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship program.  Fellowship programs must follow the ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Hospice and Palliative Medicine when they become available, and before that time programs must follow the Guidelines of the Palliative Medicine Review Committee.

For the first five years, and the next two examinations (2010 and 2012), ABEM diplomates who have not completed 12 months of formal fellowship training in HPM will be eligible to apply for the HPM certification examination if, at the time of application for examination, they can

1)   Demonstrate at least 800 hours of clinical involvement in subspecialty-level practice of hospice and palliative medicine during the last five years prior to application for examination, including:

• At least two years, 24 months, and 100 hours of participation with a hospice and palliative care team,
• Participation in the active care of at least 50 terminally ill patients (25 for pediatrics),

             OR 

2)   Physicians who are currently certified by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, a non-ABMS member board, may also apply. 

The application date for the 2010 examination will be posted on the ABEM website when they are available.  Physicians who wish to receive an application packet in 2010 may contact ABEM at any time.

Physicians who fulfill the eligibility criteria should apply to the sponsor board through which they hold their primary certification.  Physicians who are certified by more than one of the sponsor boards may choose the board through which they apply for this subspecialty.  The board through which a physician applies issues the certificate when the physician successfully completes the subspecialty examination.  To request an application write ABEM at, subspecialties@abem.org.

The first HPM subspecialty examination was administered on Wednesday, October 29, 2008.