A community-based clinical selective in end-of-life care

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Palliative Care
• Sociomedical Sciences

Background:

• Medical educators and accreditation bodies recognize deficits in end-of-life care competency among trainees.
• Barriers exist in curriculum innovation and implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe institutional and attitudinal barriers to end-of-life care curriculum innovation.
• To present and evaluate a selective for fourth-year medical students focused on end-of-life care for immigrant populations.

Main Methods:

• A 1-month selective for fourth-year medical students.
• Integrated biomedical training in pain management and palliative care.
• Clinical rotation in community-based home hospice.
• Analysis of social and ethnic factors influencing end-of-life care.

Main Results:

• The selective combined didactic learning with practical, culturally sensitive patient care.
• Students gained experience in managing pain and providing palliative support within diverse populations.
• The curriculum addressed the impact of social and ethnic factors on end-of-life care decisions and experiences.

Conclusions:

• Innovative curricula are essential to equip future physicians with end-of-life care skills.
• Culturally sensitive approaches are crucial when caring for immigrant populations nearing the end of life.
• Addressing social and ethnic determinants enhances the quality of palliative care.