American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Encyclopedia
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is a professional organization for physicians specializing in Hospice and Palliative Medicine
, headquartered in Glenview, IL
. Membership is open to all health care providers committed to improving the care of patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses. AAHPM has more than 4,000 members; 75 percent are physicians, 15 percent are nurses or other health care providers and 10 percent are residents or students.
AAHPM started a patient Web site http://www.palliativedoctors.org to help educate the public on the importance of hospice and palliative care.
During the next few years, members worked to build the association by educating people on the importance of hospice care through newsletters and position statements. The Academy worked on publishing a quarterly newsletter and a physician self-study series. In 1994, The Academy was awarded a grant from the National Cancer Institute
to develop a book series.
The American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine was incorporated by the Academy in May 1996. They offered their first certifying exam later that year. The Academy gained approval from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
(ACCME), which allowed it to provide CME
to physicians. The Academy also changed its name to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM).
By the turn of the century, AAHPM’s membership grew, and it secured a seat in the American Medical Association
(AMA) House of Delegates.
AAHPM’s strong presence and position on highly controversial subjects has made the Academy a prominent voice in hospice and palliative care. In 2003, AAHPM was able to develop its infrastructure and establish the College of Palliative Care with a $1.2-million grant from Open Society Institute’s Project on Death in America.
AAHPM Annual Assembly Sites:
AAHPM also offers educational courses during the year which focus on topics of interest to hospice and palliative care professionals.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Hospice and Palliative Medicine is a formal subspecialty of medicine in the United States that focuses on symptom management, relief of suffering and end-of-life care...
, headquartered in Glenview, IL
Glenview, Cook County, Illinois
Glenview is a suburban village located approximately north of downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 41,847...
. Membership is open to all health care providers committed to improving the care of patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses. AAHPM has more than 4,000 members; 75 percent are physicians, 15 percent are nurses or other health care providers and 10 percent are residents or students.
AAHPM started a patient Web site http://www.palliativedoctors.org to help educate the public on the importance of hospice and palliative care.
Background
AAHPM was founded in 1988, with 250 charter members, as the Academy of Hospice Physicians (The Academy). Josefina B. Magno, MD, president of the International Hospice Institute and Gerald Holman, MD, director of St. Anthony’s Hospice and Life Enrichment Center met to discuss the formation of The Academy.During the next few years, members worked to build the association by educating people on the importance of hospice care through newsletters and position statements. The Academy worked on publishing a quarterly newsletter and a physician self-study series. In 1994, The Academy was awarded a grant from the National Cancer Institute
National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health , which is one of 11 agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NCI coordinates the U.S...
to develop a book series.
The American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine was incorporated by the Academy in May 1996. They offered their first certifying exam later that year. The Academy gained approval from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education sets and enforces standards in physician continuing education within the United States...
(ACCME), which allowed it to provide CME
CME
- General :* Chief Mechanical Engineer, persons in charge of building or maintaining locomotives* Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express , formerly CallManager Express , a telephony system...
to physicians. The Academy also changed its name to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM).
By the turn of the century, AAHPM’s membership grew, and it secured a seat in the American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
(AMA) House of Delegates.
AAHPM’s strong presence and position on highly controversial subjects has made the Academy a prominent voice in hospice and palliative care. In 2003, AAHPM was able to develop its infrastructure and establish the College of Palliative Care with a $1.2-million grant from Open Society Institute’s Project on Death in America.
Position statements
AAHPM tracks critical issues and provides members with the information, tools, and training required to be effective advocates for their patients and their practice. In recent years, AAHPM has promoted policies that would increase the number of palliative medicine specialists, expand support for research, and improve access to palliative care services for patients with serious illness and their families.Publications
The Academy publishes a variety of resources for hospice and palliative care professionals, including: Primer of Palliative Care, 5th edition, Hospice and Palliative Care Training for Physicians: UNIPAC, 3rd edition, UNIPAC QR: a Quick Reference Guide, Current Concepts in Palliative Care course on CD-ROM, Hospice Medical Director Course on CD-ROM, brochures on patient and physician education.Educational Offerings
AAHPM, together with the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), sponsors an educational conference each year. The AAHPM-HPNA Annual Assembly provides disease updates and sessions on the latest advances in clinical research, cultural, ethical and legal, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of care for physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and others who practice hospice and palliative care.AAHPM Annual Assembly Sites:
- March 7-10, 2012: Denver, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- March 13-16, 2013: New Orleans, Louisiana
- March 12-15, 2014: San Diego, California
AAHPM also offers educational courses during the year which focus on topics of interest to hospice and palliative care professionals.
- September 8-10, 2011: Grapevine, Texas