Advance the Field
Serious Illness Research Consultant Center Update
In 2024, the Research Committee brought a new or expanding program request (NEPR) to the board to develop a program to match early- to mid-career researchers with mid- to late-career researchers for an AAHPM-sponsored 1-hour consultation, capped at 100 consultations. This program was designed to help fill a gap left by the sunsetting of the Palliative Care Research Cooperative, which provided research consultation services. The board approved the NEPR, and the Serious Illness Research Consultant Center (SIRCC) was born.
- 97 applications were received in the first round, with 46 consultants and 54 researchers looking for a consultant (it’s possible to apply to be an expert in one area and seek a consultant in another).
- 54 matches were generated, first by artificial intelligence viewing deidentified data, then by two staff members.
- Emails went out first to the consultants to confirm or decline their match due to conflict of interest or other reasons, then to both the consultant and consultee with a list of expectations for the 1-hour consultation (eg, consultee reaches out to set up a Zoom meeting).
- The following overviews metrics, including participant evaluations, from the first year of the program.
- 100% of consultees agreed that the consultant provided helpful guidance.
- 100% of expert consultants agreed that the amount of time they spent preparing (2 hours or less) was reasonable.
- 100% of expert consultants expressed a willingness to be matched with another consultee through the SIRCC in the future.
- 85% of consultees expressed interest in being matched with another consultant through the SIRCC in the future.
The match for the second round will begin in May 2025.
Health Policy and Advocacy Update
AAHPM held a meeting with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to discuss the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’s oversight of the Medicare hospice benefit as well as beneficiary patterns of care and hospice quality. AAHPM members Edward Martin, MD MPH, and Bethany Snider, MD HMDC FAAHPM, participated in this call and provided the GAO with their insights on the provision of hospice services for Medicare beneficiaries.
The current telehealth flexibilities in the Medicare program have been extended through September 30, 2025, as part of the Continuing Resolution recently passed by Congress. This includes flexibilities regarding originating sites and geographic requirements as well as the ability to conduct the face-to-face visit for the recertification of the hospice benefit. AAHPM has issued an Action Alert for members to contact their Congressional delegations and urge them to support telehealth.
AAHPM submitted comments to the Drug Enforcement Agency on the Special Registrations for Telemedicine and Limited State Telemedicine Registrations proposed rule, which would establish a special registration framework for telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances. AAHPM’s comment letter discusses the importance of timely and effective management of pain and other distressing symptoms that is central to providing high-quality hospice and palliative care to patients with serious illness.
Build a Vibrant Community
AAHPM is proud to be hosting a bimonthly program director and associate program director mentor meeting to discuss various themes to support fellowship programs throughout the academic cycle. There is also a Connect page dedicated to program and associate program directors. If you would like to be added to either of these, please reach out to Laura Witt at [email protected].
By the Numbers
Membership numbers show a consistent decline throughout most of 2024 before an impressive surge in December, signaling a potential turnaround for 2025.
The Hospice Physician and Medical Director Manual, 4th Edition leads Q1 2025 sales by a wide margin, outselling all other top products combined.
Physicians make up the vast majority (72%) of active members, with students, interprofessional members, and international members comprising the rest.
Ensure a Strong Organization
The Leadership and Career Development Committee is developing micro-learning on-demand education as part of our Learn library. These quick 15- to 20-minute videos include Introduction to the Business Side of Palliative Medicine, Inclusive Leadership, and Portfolio Management.
The Fellowship Training Committee implemented a best practices repository hosted on Connect for program directors and associate program directors to generate ideas, see what other work people have done, and contact programs to learn about their best practices.
DEI Update
In January, the DEI Committee received results from the 12 DEI Listening Sessions that were hosted with members in 2024. Recommendations from the findings will be included in the DEI strategic plan.
In February, for the first time ever, all eight Next Gen Scholars for Equity scholars attended the Annual Assembly and presented in two sessions. See the DEI LAB story for a group photo.