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Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
A novel advance directives course provides a transformative learning experience for medical students
Paul S Mueller1, Scott C Litin, C Christopher Hook
1Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. mueller.pauls@mayo.edu
Teaching and Learning in Medicine
|July 9, 2010
Summary
A bioethics course improved medical students' confidence in discussing advance directives (ADs) with patients. Completing an AD also enhanced their empathy and preparedness for these crucial conversations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Bioethics
- Patient Communication
Background:
- Physician training gaps can hinder advance directive (AD) discussions.
- Effective communication about ADs is crucial for patient-centered care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of an AD course, including directive completion, on medical students' knowledge and preparedness.
- To evaluate changes in students' perceived ability to discuss ADs with patients.
Main Methods:
- Fourth-year medical students participated in a 10-hour bioethics course covering ADs.
- A survey assessing knowledge and preparedness was administered one month post-course.
- Free-text comments were analyzed thematically to identify challenges.
Main Results:
- 98% of students felt more knowledgeable, and 99% felt better equipped to discuss ADs.
- 47% had counseled others on completing ADs within a month.
- Key challenges included articulating wishes, legalities, surrogate selection, and confronting mortality.
Conclusions:
- An AD course incorporating directive completion significantly boosts medical students' preparedness.
- The course appears to enhance empathy and readiness for AD discussions.
- This educational approach may improve future physician-patient communication regarding end-of-life care.
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