The impact of a medical undergraduate student-selected module in palliative care

Background: The need for undergraduate medical education in palliative care is widely recognised. An optional student-selected module 'Fundamentals of Palliative Medicine' was introduced in 2011 and offered to third-year medical students. The overall objective of the module was to develop students' knowledge, attitudes and skills in palliative care. Aim: To assess impact of the module in terms of qualitative and quantitative measures, and to improve the module design and content for future years. Methods: Students completed validated tools (Self Efficacy in Palliative Care and Thanatophobia Scale (TS)) premodule and postmodule. A Minute Paper was completed at the penultimate session with students identifying areas they had a good understanding of, and issues they still found unclear. Results: Twenty-four of 155 eligible students chose the module. Significant differences were seen in premodule and postmodule Self Efficacy in Palliative Care scores (communication p<0.0001, patient management p=0.0002 and teamwork p=0.03). No difference was seen in TS score. Five main themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of the Minute Paper: changes to attitudes and knowledge, psychological effects, teaching methods, careers in palliative care, and further palliative care learning needs. Several students commented that the module should be core curriculum. Conclusions: The module was a popular choice with students, was well received, and appears to have had a significant educational impact in terms of changing students' attitudes and perceived knowledge and skills in palliative care.