Building a Career in Hospice and Palliative Medicine Research: Advice for Early Investigators

Growing the next generation of hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) researchers requires creative approaches to address shortages in available mentors, resources, and funding. In response to these challenges, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Research Committee convened a multidisciplinary working group of HPM researchers to generate practical strategies to support early career investigators (ECIs) in growing and sustaining a career focused on serious illness research. This article presents actionable advice for students, trainees, postdoctoral fellows, or early career faculty interested in HPM research, including information and encouragement to empower ECIs to pursue this career path. This paper offers specific guidance on 10 steps important to creating and sustaining a HPM research career: 1) choosing to pursue research, 2) developing mentorship relationships, 3) establishing peer mentorship and community, 4) conceptualizing and developing an initial project, 5) establishing a research identity, 6) obtaining funding and protected time, 7) bridging identities between fields, 8) anticipating challenges, 9) maintaining perspective, and 10) becoming a mentor to others. Ultimately, ECIs are the future of HPM research, and their skills and passion are needed to help grow the field and advance science to improve outcomes for patients with serious illness and their families. Endorsed by the AAHPM Research Committee, this article provides a roadmap for ECIs to grow their careers with the long-term goal of promoting compassionate, holistic care for patients, caregivers, and communities navigating serious illness.