Clinical Scholars Program

Midwest Hospice and Palliative CareCenter
Glenview, IL

• About the Site
  
  
• Sample Schedule
  
  
• Faculty
  
  
• Location Information
  

About the Site

Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader in providing highly developed hospice and palliative care. CareCenter provides services to 1,200 individuals per day in an integrative medical model that offers a seamless continuum of palliative care services. (Annually, more than 8,000 individuals—patients and their families—receive medical and/or supportive services.) CareCenter functions as a regional and national center of influence for education, providing an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to education that is unique for most practicing, mid-career physicians. Additionally, the organization participates in quality research to advance the concept of whole-person care as well as the art and science of palliative medicine.

CareCenter palliative care consultations are provided to patients in all areas of the community, including those in long-term care facilities, local community and university hospitals, private homes or group homes and clinics. Location of the consultation is dependent on the source of referral, the patient’s condition and where the patient lives. In the majority of cases, the primary diagnosis is non-cancer, and the organization has extensive experience in managing the care of patients and families struggling with end-stage diseases, such as dementia, COPD, cardiac diagnoses, in addition to many different cancer diagnoses and neuromuscular diseases.

As a community-based organization, CareCenter provides services to patients and families from diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds, throughout a geographic area that covers urban, suburban and semi-rural settings. 87% of the patient population is age 65 or over, though the age range is from young adults to centenarians. The organization serves patients and families at any stage of a serious illness, from diagnosis through death and bereavement. In addition, CareCenter provides bereavement care for the community, including specialized bereavement services for children and teens.

Training dates available throughout the year, excluding July, August, last two weeks of March and over major holidays.

Sample Schedule

Inpatient Program

Outpatient Program

Teaching Sessions

1. Overview of hospice care and palliative medicine, with particular focus on domains of palliative care (didactic with small group discussion)
2. Running a family meeting—may include breaking the bad news or goals of care discussions. (role play and/or small group discussion)
3. Symptom management—basic and advanced
4. The Medicare Hospice benefit—compliance and regulatory issues
5. Management of intractable symptoms and therapeutic sedation

Feedback and Evaluation

1. Deepening the interview (simulated patient).

Faculty

The following faculty will be involved in training visiting physicians:

Martha L. Twaddle, MD FACP FAAHPM
Samuel R. Katz, MD
Maureen T. McGilly, MD
Alan M. Smookler, MD FACP
Jason M. Sobel, MD

Location Information

Nearest Airport:  O’Hare International Airport

Visit this training site's Web site for further information on their programs and services.