Combined Curriculum in Paediatric Palliative Medicine
The Combined Curriculum in Paediatric Palliative Medicine was prepared by the Education Subgroup of the British Society for Paediatric Palliative Medicine and Association of Children’s Hospice Doctors (which merged to become the APPM)
In 2007, there were only six specialist consultants in children’s palliative medicine in the United Kingdom. But a far greater number of doctors - general paediatricians, paediatricians in related sub-specialties, adult palliative care physicians, and GPs working in children’s hospices - identified themselves as having a major interest in paediatric palliative medicine.
The Curriculum in Paediatric Palliative Medicine aims to inform the training and assessment of these and all doctors who encounter dying children or those with life-limiting conditions.
Since the development of this curriculum, the RCPCH subspecialist paediatric palliative care group has written and implemented a new curriculum for paediatricians. This new RCPCH curriculum is aimed at general and specialist paediatricians, and those in training. In the meantime, this APPM curriculum provides some useful guidance on the experience and skills needed at various levels.