For the development of specialized expertise in palliative medicine, we now have two certification routes developed for palliative care consultants: a Certificate of Added Competence through the College of Family Physicians of Canada and a Subspecialty in Palliative Medicine through the Royal College. Both routes support the development of consultant level, specialist palliative care expertise.
Recognition of these providers at the provincial level is necessary in order for us to begin to assess, measure and plan for human resources, including residency positions, needed across Canada to improve teaching, mentoring, research, program development and access to palliative care.
CERTIFICATE OF ADDED COMPETENCE IN PALLIATIVE CARE
Certificates of Added Competence (CACs) from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) provide a means of recognizing those family physicians who have achieved a defined level of competence and a commitment to maintenance. Physicians who hold CACs are a valued resource to other family physicians and to our patients. (Source:
CFPC web site). Currently the only way to earn a CAC in Palliative Care is through the successful completion of an accredited enhanced skills residency program. The list of programs is on the CSPCP web site:
https://archive.cspcp.ca/information/training-opportunities/. The CFPC is also developing a practice eligible route, but the requirements and time line are not yet known. Updates from the CFPC will be posted here when available.
2-YEAR SUBSPECIALTY
The first cohort of subspecialty Palliative Medicine residents began their two-year training programs on July 1, 2017. Any trainees interested in pursuing subspecialty training in Palliative Medicine are encouraged to contact the program directors (PD) at their institution. A list of programs and PDs is on the
Training Opportunities page of this web site. A practice eligible route (PER) is also available for physicians who meet the eligibility requirements.
Information about PER is on the Royal College web site. The Royal College has also announced the Practice Eligibility Route for the Subspecialty Examination Affiliate Program (PER-SEAP). PER-SEAP is a new route for internationally trained specialists who are practising in Canada in a subspecialty but are not Royal College certified in a primary specialty.
Information about PER-SEAP.
For more information please contact:
credentials@royalcollege.ca
