I qualified as a hospice and palliative care vet in 2021.
I have undertaken additional post graduate training in veterinary end of life care. Over the last 10 years I have found an increasing interest in this growing field in veterinary medicine and in 2020, having completed both the above courses, I undertook further postgraduate study with the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) to become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care veterinarian (CHPV). This certification program is the first of its kind in the new field of veterinary palliative care. To date there are less than 400 veterinary professionals worldwide who have completed this post graduate training, only a small number of UK vets and, to my knowledge, I am the only trained palliative care vet in the southwest.
CHPV follows a comprehensive continuing education curriculum approved by the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE). It includes approximately 100 hours of coursework: CAETA’s training module in advanced euthanasia techniques, which I found hugely beneficial to repeat, alongside modules in advanced pain management, advanced palliative medicine and hospice care. Palliative medicine’s goal is comfort: symptom and pain management to improve quality of life without trying to cure the patient. It can be applied to any advanced, progressive chronic disease not just terminal illness and so there is no time limit-it can be ongoing for months, sometimes even for years, supporting current medical treatments. In human medicine the term hospice is used for terminal illness only and often when the patient is no longer seeking medical care outside of palliative care. Hospice is generally defined as 6 months or less to live with hospice care addressing the needs of the dying.
As well as the coursework I was required to attend both the IAAHPC conference and a live communication workshop, submit a case report that could be considered for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and sit and pass the final examination which I did in the summer of 2021.
Since qualification I have continued learning with a growing number of colleagues worldwide who are advancing hospice and palliative care (HPC).
I believe my training as a hospice and palliative care vet helps me to guide you through the conversations we will have about your pet, and the decisions you will make for your companion at the end of their life.