The Impact of Pediatric Palliative Care Education on Medical Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes

• Published in: The Scientific World Journal
• Main Authors: Korzeniewska-Eksterowicz, Aleksandra, Przysło, Łukasz, Kędzierska, Bogna, Stolarska, Małgorzata, Młynarski, Wojciech
• Other Authors: Department of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lodz, Home Hospice for Children of Lodz Region, Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, [e-mail]
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2013
• Subjects: Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11089/17796; https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/498082

Purpose. Most undergraduate palliative care curricula omit pediatric palliative care (PPC) issues. Aim of the study was to evaluate the pilot education programme. Methods. All 391 students of Faculty of Medicine (FM) and 59 students of Division of Nursing (DN) were included in anonymous questionnaire study. Respondents were tested on their knowledge and attitude towards PPC issues before and at the end of the programme and were expected to evaluate the programme at the end. Results. For final analysis, authors qualified 375 double forms filled in correctly (320 FM and 55 DN). Before the programme, students’ knowledge assessed on 0–100-point scale was low (FM: median: 43.35 points; 25%–75%: (40p–53.3p); DN: 26.7p; 13.3p–46.7p), and, in addition, there were differences (P<0.001) between both faculties. Upon completion of the programme, significant increase of the level of knowledge in both faculties was noted (FM: 80p; 73.3–100; DN: 80p; 66.7p–80p). Participation in the programme changed declared attitudes towards some aspects of withholding of special procedures, euthanasia, and abortion. Both groups of students positively evaluated the programme. Conclusions. This study identifies medical students’ limited knowledge of PPC. Educational intervention changes students’ attitudes to the specific end-of-life issues. There is a need for palliative care curricula evaluation. The programme has been awarded and 90% financed by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System, Measure V Edition, Development of the Polish Higher Education Institution. Since August 2009, the project has been completed with the support granted by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway by means of cofinancing from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, as a part of the Scholarship and Training Fund. Sponsor was not involved in the conduct of the study or development of the submission.