The Effects of an Early Observational Experience on Medical Students’ Attitudes Toward End-of-Life Care

• Published in: American journal of hospice & palliative medicine Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 52 - 60
• Main Authors: Wechter, Elizabeth, O'Gorman, Denise Carter, Singh, Mamta K., Spanos, Pete, Daly, Barbara J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-02-2015
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Curriculum; Education, Medical - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Nursing; Students, Medical - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Terminal Care - psychology; Young Adult; end of life; education; curriculum; palliative; hospice; observation
• ISSN: 1049-9091; 1938-2715
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909113505760

End-of-life care is paramount in maintaining the quality of life of the terminally ill, protecting them from unnecessary treatment, and controlling costs incurred in their care. Training doctors to be effective end-of-life caregivers begins in medical school. A survey design was used to collect data from 166 first-year medical students before and after exposure to hospice or palliative care through an early clinical exposure program. Data demonstrated that students had a significant change in attitude scores after the observational experience (P < .05). Providing students with the opportunity to observe and participate in end-of-life care has a positive effect on attitudes toward the care of dying persons. We recommend that direct exposure to end-of-life care practices be incorporated early in the medical school curriculum.