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Learning to care for dying patients: a controlled longitudinal study of a death education course
1Department of Family Medicine, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, USA.
Background:
This study examines the long-term impact of a medical-school death education course on death-related anxiety and attitudes.
Methods:
A four-year longitudinal, controlled study design was used. Ninety-nine course participants and 92 controls were initially evaluated using the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale and a semantic differential technique measuring attitudes toward the dying patient and his or her family. The evaluation was repeated at the end of the course and yearly thereafter.
Results:
Attitudes towards "treating the dying patient" and "dealing with the dying patient's family" were improved as a result of the course. The effects were sustained throughout medical school, with significant differences between the groups at the end of the course (p < 0.001) and for third-year students (p < or = 0.002). Regarding fear of death, analyses showed no significant group-time interaction at any test period (p > or = 0.13).
Conclusions:
Preclinical education has an enduring effect on attitudes involving end-of-life care.