Interdisciplinary education, medical student, nursing student,
breaking bad news, role-play, integrative learning
Palliative care is a complex area of healthcare best delivered by an
interdisciplinary team approach. Breaking bad news is an inherent part of caring
for people with life-limiting conditions. This study aims to explore an
interdisciplinary breaking bad news role-play in a palliative care module.
Participants were undergraduate medical and nursing students. Qualitative data
from focus groups, student and facilitator feedback and a role-play recording
were thematically analysed. The findings revealed that the role-play led to
increased understanding of and changes in attitudes towards key palliative care
principles, interdisciplinary teamwork, and communication of bad news. There
was evidence of increased self-awareness. Findings suggest that the
interdisciplinary breaking bad news role-play was a rich integrative learning
experience valued by students.