Does interdisciplinary and multiprofessional undergraduate education increase students' self-confidence and knowledge toward palliative care? Evaluation of an undergraduate curriculum design for palliative care at a German academic hospital

TY - JOUR

T1 - Does interdisciplinary and multiprofessional undergraduate education increase students' self-confidence and knowledge toward palliative care? Evaluation of an undergraduate curriculum design for palliative care at a German academic hospital

AU - Gerlach, Christina

AU - Mai, Sandra

AU - Schmidtmann, Irene

AU - Massen, Clara

AU - Reinholz, Ulrike

AU - Laufenberg-Feldmann, Rita

AU - Weber, Martin

PY - 2015/6

Y1 - 2015/6

N2 - BACKGROUND: Undergraduate palliative care education (UPCE) became mandatory in Germany by 2013. The training in Mainz, addressing fifth-year (5Y) medical students, emphasizes transfer of knowledge and skills. In this study we assessed students' knowledge and students' self-estimation of self-confidence in palliative care (PC) according to Bandura's concept of self-efficacy.OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate the effects of the Mainz UPCE on students' self-confidence regarding important domains in PC.METHODS: We conducted a prospective questionnaire-based cohort study with a pre-post design. 5Y medical students (n=329) were asked for self-estimation concerning knowledge, somatic aspects, spiritual and psychological aspects before and after a 7x90-minute teaching course. To assess knowledge, students completed a multiple choice examination at the end of the term.RESULTS: Overall, 156 students completed matched surveys at both points of measurement. The majority of these students felt more confident after the course than before in all aspects of PC (p<0.0001). All students passed the exam with average scores greater than 90%.CONCLUSION: A 7x90-minute interactive tutorial in PC for 5Y medical students is feasible and improves both self-efficacy and knowledge of core PC issues. Whether the effects of the course are long-lasting is the objective for further research.

AB - BACKGROUND: Undergraduate palliative care education (UPCE) became mandatory in Germany by 2013. The training in Mainz, addressing fifth-year (5Y) medical students, emphasizes transfer of knowledge and skills. In this study we assessed students' knowledge and students' self-estimation of self-confidence in palliative care (PC) according to Bandura's concept of self-efficacy.OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate the effects of the Mainz UPCE on students' self-confidence regarding important domains in PC.METHODS: We conducted a prospective questionnaire-based cohort study with a pre-post design. 5Y medical students (n=329) were asked for self-estimation concerning knowledge, somatic aspects, spiritual and psychological aspects before and after a 7x90-minute teaching course. To assess knowledge, students completed a multiple choice examination at the end of the term.RESULTS: Overall, 156 students completed matched surveys at both points of measurement. The majority of these students felt more confident after the course than before in all aspects of PC (p<0.0001). All students passed the exam with average scores greater than 90%.CONCLUSION: A 7x90-minute interactive tutorial in PC for 5Y medical students is feasible and improves both self-efficacy and knowledge of core PC issues. Whether the effects of the course are long-lasting is the objective for further research.

KW - Adult

KW - Curriculum

KW - Education, Medical, Undergraduate/organization & administration

KW - Educational Measurement

KW - Female

KW - Germany

KW - Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Palliative Medicine/education

KW - Self Efficacy

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

U2 - 10.1089/jpm.2014.0337

DO - 10.1089/jpm.2014.0337

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 25849204

VL - 18

SP - 513

EP - 519

JO - J PALLIAT MED

JF - J PALLIAT MED

SN - 1096-6218

IS - 6

ER -