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Training physicians to care for the dying.
The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care
|March 1, 1991
Summary
A proposed curriculum aims to improve physician training in end-of-life care. This comprehensive program addresses clinical, communication, psychosocial, administrative, and ethical aspects of managing death and dying.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Palliative Care
- Bioethics
Background:
- Physician education in end-of-life care management and communication is often inadequate.
- This deficiency leaves medical professionals unprepared to support dying patients and their families effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a comprehensive, longitudinal curriculum for terminal care education.
- To equip medical students and house staff with essential skills for managing death and dying.
Main Methods:
- A five-pronged curriculum is suggested, spanning medical school through postgraduate training.
- Key components include clinical skills (pain management, prognostication), communication, psychosocial issues, administrative/team interaction, and bioethical considerations (DNR, living wills).
Main Results:
- The curriculum aims to enhance physicians' ability to manage end-of-life care.
- Improved physician preparedness in discussing death and providing holistic patient support is anticipated.
Conclusions:
- Effective training can help physicians accept death as a natural process.
- The goal is to enable physicians to facilitate a death with minimal suffering and maximal resolution of conflicts.