Training for palliative medicine. I : A survey of professional opinion

Formalized training schemes in palliative medicine are currently being set up in the U K. However, some controversy exists as to the best training pathways for this specialty. The results are presented of a questionnaire survey of all senior palliative physicians in the UK. Information was sought on their qualifications; previous experience; how useful this experience was; and their opinions on the most appropriate qualifications and training prior to entering senior registrar posts. On the basis of the results, the authors make the following recommendations: (1) a broad-based training should be encouraged prior to specialization; (2) experience priorto taking up senior registrar posts should be encouraged in palliative medicine, oncology/radiotherapy, general practice, medicine and pain clinics. Lack of experience in any of these fields should be remedied during higher specialist training; (3) the MRCP and the MRCGP should both remain as suitable postgraduate qualifications for entry to senior registrar posts in palliative medicine; (4) appointment committees and committees planning training programmes should include palliative physicians with different backgrounds since individuals tend to be biased to their own training pathway.