The year begins with an intensive summer lecture series that provides a solid foundation in symptom management, palliative care consultation, care of the imminently dying patient, and working with an interdisciplinary team.
Beginning in September, fellows participate in a variety of academic activities, still attending didactics regularly but also designing a QI project, leading journal club, and creating a small group teaching session. Fellows also participate in a communication curriculum, which emphasizes a cognitive approach to communication, taught with demonstrations and interactive role play.
Year-long educational opportunities include weekly palliative care grand rounds and site-specific sessions such as pain rounds, psychosocial oncology grand rounds, and research Works-in-Progress.
These activities are augmented by four fellowship retreats:
- Art and Medicine: A half-day summer retreat at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston to hone our observation and reflection skills
- Teaching Lollapalooza: A day-long autumn retreat to reflect on our role as educators and learn skills for teaching and learning
- Sustainability and Resilience: A day-long winter retreat to develop a deeper understanding of our personal strengths and to learn techniques to maximize resilience
- Leadership Retreat: A day-long spring workshop to define our own leadership styles and develop leadership skills