Kara Bischoff, MD
Associate Professor
Medicine
School of Medicine

415-514-1966

Dr. Kara Bischoff is the Associate Division Chief for Outpatient Palliative Care and the Medical Director of UCSF's Outpatient Palliative Care Service. She provides palliative care to patients with a range of serious illnesses, including neurologic diseases, chronic lung diseases, and cancer. She sees patients in clinic, by video, and in the hospital.

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In recent years Dr. Bischoff has developed particular expertise in the provision of palliative care to people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). She has published substantially and has been recognized nationally as an Emerging Leader in Palliative Medicine.

Dr. Bischoff is seeking to ensure that patients of all demographic groups have equal access to palliative care, and that the palliative care provided at UCSF is inclusive for diverse populations. She runs a program called Care Plus that systematically and equitably identifies palliative care needs in a population of patients, and routes patients to appropriate supportive services based on the needs that are identified. She is the Co-Chair of the Quality Committee for the national Palliative Care Quality Collaborative and she leads quality improvement efforts in outpatient palliative care at UCSF. She also teaches medical students, residents, and fellows. Dr. Bischoff received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School, followed by a residency and chief residency at UCSF in Internal Medicine, and a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, also at UCSF. She is an active member of The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the International Neuropalliative Care Society. She is a mother, an outdoor enthusiast, and a Bay Area native.

Awards

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  • Quality of Care Research Award: Palliative Care for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), ALS Association, 2024
  • Emerging Leader in Palliative Medicine, American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, 2024
  • Highest Rated Improvement Initiative for Embedded Palliative Care in ALS, UCSF Health Improvement Symposium, 2021
  • Abstract Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology, 2020
  • Top Doctors Award for Recognition of Excellence, Marin Magazine, 2019
  • Outstanding Achievement of Reducing Unnecessary Utilization, UCSF Value Improvement, 2019
  • Best Commitment to Patient Satisfaction, UCSF Value Improvement, 2018
  • Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, UCSF, 2017
  • Grant Awardee, Stupski Foundation, 2016
  • Case Presentation Poster Award, AAHPM, 2014
  • Quality Week Celebration Award, UCSF, 2014
  • Paper of the Month, Cicely Saunders Institute, 2013
  • Chief Residency, UCSF, 2012-2013
  • Quality and Safety Innovation Challenge Award, UCSF, 2012
  • Distinguished Professor of Geriatrics Award, Society of General Internal Medicine, 2011
  • Thayer Award, Harvard Medical School, 2009
  • First Place Clinical Science Oral Presentation, AMA Student Research Forum, 2008
  • Firestone Award for Excellence in Research, Stanford University, 2004

Education & Training

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training University of California 2018
  • Chief Residency University of California, San Francisco 2014
  • Fellowship University of California, San Francisco 2014
  • Residency University of California, San Francisco 2012
  • Internship University of California, San Francisco 2010
  • MD Harvard Medical School 2009
  • BA Stanford University 2004

Interests

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  • symptom management
  • quality improvement
  • palliative care
  • medical education
  • communication
  • advance care planning
  • system design

Publications (41)

Top publication keywords:
Palliative CareQuality ImprovementAdvance DirectivesHospice and Palliative Care NursingAmyotrophic Lateral SclerosisTerminal CareAdvance Care PlanningPhysician Incentive PlansAmbulatory CareEnd Stage Liver DiseaseBereavementReferral and ConsultationPatient Discharge SummariesOutpatientsLung Diseases, Interstitial

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