Certification offered to rad oncs for care of dying patients

The American Board of Radiology (ABR) has introduced a certificate in hospice and palliative care. While the certification is open to multiple specialties, it will most likely appeal to radiation oncologists, said Bruce Haffty, MD, an ABR radiation oncology trustee.

Though the certification is not intended to confer privilege to practice, the recognition could offer an advantage if one chooses to specialize in that area, Dr. Haffty said.

The subspecialty is available to all ABR-certified radiologists (http://theabr.org). Doctors must do at least 100 hours on a hospice and palliative care team and be involved in the care of at least 50 terminally ill patients over a 2-year period, Dr. Haffty said. The final step is an examination, which will be administered in October 2008. The certification is good for 10 years.