Teaching end-of-life communication: priorities, challenges, scope-systematic review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Studies
• Healthcare Practice

Background:

• Medical providers face challenges in enhancing end-of-life (EOL) communication skills due to a lack of structured curricula.
• Effective EOL communication is vital for improving patient quality of life during the final stages of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review exploring existing literature on teaching end-of-life (EOL) communication.
• To provide educators with a detailed understanding of how to approach the teaching of EOL communication.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of qualitative and quantitative studies was performed.
• Searches were conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, ERIC, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases using relevant keywords.
• Sixteen studies were included after initial screening, with no exclusions based on quality.

Main Results:

• The review identified 22,278 entries, with 16 studies ultimately included in the analysis.
• Two primary themes emerged: challenges in teaching EOL communication and effective methods for instruction.
• Directions for topic priorities and pedagogical approaches in EOL communication teaching were established.

Conclusions:

• Teaching end-of-life (EOL) communication is complex and requires a well-rounded syllabus.
• Essential skills include non-verbal cue recognition, communication strategies, and cultural context understanding.
• A comprehensive EOL communication education prepares students for effective future practice.