End-of-Life Training in U.S. Medical Schools: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Physicians are educated and trained to cure illness and save lives. The traditional educational model in U.S. medical schools allows for generalist training as well as specialization in specific areas of practice such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or oncology. As the population continues to age, and chronic illnesses challenge cancer diagnoses as the predominant precursor to palliative care, medical students must be educated and trained in the specialties of palliative medicine and end-of-life care. The purpose of this study was to review systematically the empirical evidence related to the ways in which end-of-life care is included in U.S. medical school training.

Social values as an independent factor affecting end of life medical decision making

“…The curriculum include teaching principles of palliative care, crisis and family communication skills, procedures for empowering patient autonomy and non biased clinical decision making, and analysis of the ethical issues of withholding or withdrawing medical care in cases of 'futility of care' (Bickel-Swenson 2007;Sulmasy et al 2008;Sullivan et al 2003). However, these curriculum developments have not included teaching the differing liberal-conservative social understandings that our findings have shown to have an impact on EOL decision making.…”

Assessment of Knowledge and Associated Factors towards Palliative Care among Greek Nurses

“…A significant amount of literature has been devoted to assess the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards palliative care and have highlighted inadequacies in nurses' skills and knowledge in palliative care (Karkada et al, 2011;Rolandson et al, 2008;Bickel-Swenson, 2007;Canning et al, 2004;Becker, 2000;Farrell, 1998;McCaffery & Ferrell, 1997;Morgan, 1997). An important tool for assessing knowledge and attitudes towards palliative care is the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN).…”

A Pilot Study on Undergraduate Palliative Care Education – A Study on Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-Perception

“…Two systematic reviews [10,11] investigating palliative care education in medical faculties in Europe and America conclude that, apart from summative and formative assessments, affective learning objectives with regard to attitude toward dying patients should be awarded significantly greater importance in the future.…”