Palliative care in medical school curricula: a survey of United States medical schools.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an updated estimate of the extent and manner in which palliative care is incorporated in the curricula of U.S. medical schools.

METHODS

Data were obtained from two sources: a 40-item written survey sent directly to deans of all 128 medical schools and corresponding information was obtained from the Curriculum Management and Information Tool (CurrMIT) national database of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

RESULTS

Information was obtained from 47 of 128 (37%) medical schools; 30 through the survey and 17 through the CurrMIT database. "Palliative and Hospice Care" is a required course in 30% (n = 14) of responding medical schools and a required rotation in 19% (n = 9); 15% (n = 7) offer an elective course and 29% (n = 14) an elective rotation; and 53% (n = 25) integrate this subject into a required course. Of responding schools, 49% (n = 23) believe medical students should be evaluated in the care patients with advanced, incurable conditions during the clerkships; 30% (14) currently do so.

CONCLUSIONS

A minority of U.S. medical schools from which information was obtained requires training in palliative care and evaluates students in their care of patients with advanced, incurable conditions. Most medical schools have chosen to include palliative care topics within existing courses. AAMC's existing database does not assess the scope or extent of coursework and rotations in palliative care. Guidelines are needed that address palliative care education and training of medical students.