Abstract
Context
Despite efforts to incorporate more palliative and hospice topics into medical education, research indicates that gaps in sufficient formal education and student experience remain.
Objectives
Following a recent curricular redesign, the authors sought to evaluate the self-reported knowledge and confidence of our institution’s fourth-year medical students regarding primary palliative care skills. Open-ended responses revealed that students desire more enhancements to palliative and hospice medical school curricula.
Methods
Based on survey results, the authors developed and implemented a two-hour high-yield skills simulation session on core palliative skills. Paired pre- and post-session surveys were analyzed.
Results
Post-session, students reported significantly increased confidence in performing many primary palliative care skills, including delivering serious news, discussing code status, and explaining hospice care to patients.
Conclusion
With only 2 h of student and faculty time, this simulation-based learning event offers a practical and effective approach to enhancing students’ understanding and readiness to engage in palliative care practices.
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Supplementary Material
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