Medical students' knowledge on palliative care - a survey of teaching in Finland

Most studies on palliative medicine (PM) undergraduate education have focused on contents and organizational issues but not the outcome. Students' learning outcomes should be studied to improve teaching in medical schools.

A questionnaire about perceived PM education and attitudes on palliative care (PC) was sent to 543 last year students in all five Finnish medical schools in 2018-2019. In total, 175 (32 %) responses were received from four universities. The students evaluated both the quantity and quality of their PM teaching, implementation of European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) guidelines and their satisfaction to the training. There were two palliative case scenarios, and the students were asked to find the best treatment option. In addition, students´ attitudes towards end-of-life (EOL) care issues were examined.

In the Finnish universities, PM education was available mainly integrated with oncology, geriatrics, and general medicine. A total of two universities also offered a specific PM course. In average, 50-70% of the EAPC curriculum was covered by lectures, small-group teaching, seminars, and bedside teaching with significant differences between faculties. Only 30-60 % of students were satisfied with the education received. The highest rankings were given in the universities with a special PM course. Students from these universities expressed less anxiety in facing EOL issues.

In Finland, the coverage of EAPC curriculum is satisfactory, but the PM education is mainly given integrated with other specialties. The dedicated course on PM was associated with increased perceived knowledge and satisfaction of PM education. However, PM training was not associated with students' attitudes on PC.