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 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.