Developing end-of-life interdisciplinary programs in universitywide settings

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Administration
• Interdisciplinary Studies

Background:

• Interdisciplinary programs are recognized for their value in end-of-life care.
• Despite recognized benefits, implementing these programs presents significant challenges.
• University administrative obstacles, such as credit allocation and course ownership, hinder program development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the development and activities of an interdisciplinary end-of-life program at an urban university.
• To examine the challenges encountered during the program's first year.
• To present lessons learned and describe subsequent program efforts.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive case study of an interdisciplinary end-of-life program.
• Analysis of administrative and interpersonal issues during the first year.
• Documentation of program development, activities, and lessons learned.

Main Results:

• First-year implementation faced challenges including establishing trust, developing group identity, and ensuring effective communication.
• Administrative obstacles related to credit and course ownership were identified.
• Lessons learned from the initial phase informed second-year activities.

Conclusions:

• Developing interdisciplinary end-of-life programs requires addressing both administrative and interpersonal dynamics.
• Successful implementation necessitates proactive strategies for communication, trust-building, and administrative support.
• The findings offer valuable insights for establishing similar programs in academic settings.