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Facing Death in Medical Training: A View From Students in Mexico
Asunción Álvarez-Del Río1, Ma Luisa Marván2, Julieta Gómez Avalos1
1Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
Omega
|September 6, 2017
Summary
Mexican medical students are comfortable discussing end-of-life (EOL) care but feel unprepared to provide it. Educational improvements are needed to better equip future physicians for addressing patient death and dying.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Palliative Care
- Thanatology
Background:
- Addressing end-of-life (EOL) issues is a critical aspect of medical training.
- There is limited data on medical students' preparedness for EOL care in Mexico.
- Understanding student perspectives is crucial for curriculum development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Mexican medical students' attitudes towards caring for terminally ill patients.
- To evaluate the adequacy of medical coursework in preparing students for EOL issues.
- To identify needs for improving EOL medical training.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 405 Mexican medical students.
- The Student Views on Death questionnaire was utilized.
- Data on comfort levels, communication practices, and perceived preparedness were collected.
Main Results:
- 94% of students believed physicians should inform patients about impending death.
- A majority felt comfortable talking with (61%) and examining (76%) terminally ill patients.
- Only half of the students had discussed death with patients, and most felt poorly prepared for EOL care despite interest.
Conclusions:
- Mexican medical students express a desire for EOL training but perceive current education as insufficient.
- Objective data highlights a gap between students' attitudes and their practical preparedness for EOL care.
- Findings can inform the design of targeted educational interventions to enhance EOL medical training in Mexico.
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