Learning about death: a project report from the Edinburgh University Medical School

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Bioethics
• Palliative Care

Background:

• Problem-based learning (PBL) is an effective pedagogical approach.
• Medical ethics education is crucial for future physicians.
• Terminal care presents complex ethical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a PBL project on terminal care ethics for first-year medical students.
• To examine student engagement with ethical issues in end-of-life care.
• To assess the impact of practical case-based learning on ethical understanding.

Main Methods:

• A PBL project integrated into a clinical correlation course.
• Case-based learning involving patient, family, and staff interactions over eight weeks.
• Supervision by clinical tutors and a moral philosopher.

Main Results:

• Students explored patient autonomy in choosing care settings (home, hospital, hospice).
• Ethical dimensions of pre-death decisions, death certification, and bereavement services were examined.
• The project provided practical insights into the multifaceted nature of terminal care.

Conclusions:

• PBL effectively engages medical students in complex ethical dilemmas of terminal care.
• Understanding patient choice is central to ethical end-of-life care.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances ethical training in medicine.