Background: The need for undergraduate medical
education in palliative care has been highlighted by several key organizations.
An optional 5-credit special study module
entitled Fundamentals of Palliative Medicine was designed and offered to 3rd
year medical students.
Aim: To assess impact of the SSM in terms of qualitative and
quantitative measures, and inform
further development of the module.
Methods: Students
completed The Self-Efficacy in Palliative Care and Thanatophobia Scale at the
first and final sessions. Students
also completed a Minute Paper at the penultimate session.
Results: Twenty
four of one hundred and fifty five (15%) eligible students chose the module. Statistically significant
differences were seen in pre and post scores in the 3 areas covered by the Self-Efficacy
in Palliative Care (communication p <0.0001,
patient management p = 0.0002 and teamwork p = 0.03). No
significant difference was found in Thanatophobia Scale scores. Areas reported as being well understood
on the Minute Paper included illness in the context of the individual patient
and their family, spiritual suffering/total pain, the role of the doctor, teamwork,
the importance of palliative care earlier in the disease trajectory and communication
issues.
Conclusions: The module was a popular
choice and well recieved by students and had a significant educational impact