From August 2022, palliative medicine trainees will dual train with internal medicine. This represents a major change to training. Supervisors and doctors in training will notice that the new curriculum looks very different from the 2010 (2014 amendment) curriculum, with a move away from detailed competence-based training to high level learning outcomes, of capabilities in practice (CiPs).

There are already some national resources to support the implementation of the new curriculum on the JRCPTB website – see https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/physician-trainer-resources

The Specialty Advisory committee has also developed a Rough Guide to training Rough guide Palliative Medicine December 2020

In 2022, supervisors and trainees will be invited to events to support the launch of the new curriculum – these are likely to be organised on a regional basis.

The Palliative Medicine Speciality Certificate Examination (SCE) is the examination taken towards the end of speciality training, often in the penultimate year. Trainees must pass this in order to be eligible for the Certificate of Training (CCT).

The exam is held every 9 months and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions based on the Speciality Training Curriculum for Palliative Medicine, published by the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB). The exam lasts six hours, with a break for lunch, taking place at a selection of invigilated VUE test centres across the UK and internationally.

The APM is offering a full discount on purchases made after October 2021 on the PallMedpro SCE revision flashcards for APM members taking the SCE. The flashcards are an excellent palliative care resource for medical students as they are an unofficial interactive reference resource from Pallmedpro available on your phone, tablet or laptop. There are over 500 flashcards in 14 categories relevant to the exam, including but not limited to:

Management of Emergencies
Cochrane Reviews
NICE
BTS and other UK Guidelines
Aspects of the Law
Pharmacology

They’re illustrated and contain learning quizzes, plus a mock exam to help test your knowledge. You’ll need an app called Flashcard Hero (available on Windows, MacOS, iPAD OS and iOS) to use the resource. The usual cost is £30, and we will be able to reimburse the full amount, leaving you liable only for the £2.99 cost of the Flashcard Hero app.

This is an APM member benefit. After purchasing the flashcards through the PallMedPro Website and registering for the SCE examination, APM members should:

• Download and complete the APM flashcard expense claim form
• Send the completed form with your receipt and evidence of SCE registration to office@compleat-online.co.uk or via post to the Association for Palliative Medicine, 8 Barnes Wallis Road, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 5TU.
• Once the claim has been approved, you will be reimbursed for the cost of the flashcards. Please note: approval of expenses can take up to 5 working days.