Effect of a Compassion-Focused Training Program in Palliative Care Education for Medical Students
Journal
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Journal Volume
30
Journal Issue
2
Pages
114-120
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Compassion is the key value of humanities perspective. Little is known, however, concerning the impact of enhancing compassion on ethical decision making in end-of-life care. Methods: A total of 251 preclinical medical students were enrolled in a palliative care training course. A structured self-report questionnaire was administered before and after training. Results: Experience with caring for patients with terminal cancer was positively related to improvement in the decision of "truth telling is helpful to a good death." In addition, improvement in the perception of "compassionate care" was correlated with higher improvement in the decision of "discharge planning and home care." Conclusion: Compassion-focused training program can be helpful to improve medical students' competence in making more appropriate ethical decisions in end-of-life care. ? The Author(s) 2012.
Other Subjects
adult; cross-sectional study; empathy; ethics; female; health personnel attitude; human; male; medical education; medical student; Neoplasms; palliative therapy; procedures; psychology; questionnaire; terminal care; young adult; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Cross-Sectional Studies; Education, Medical; Empathy; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Palliative Care; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Terminal Care; Young Adult
Type
journal article