Background The GMC document ‘Tomorrows Doctors’ recognises that End of Life care is an important skill for all doctors to learn. Evidence shows that newly qualified doctors feel unprepared to care for patients at the end of life. The Palliative Medicine Department at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has long been involved in CP2 training with a focus on holistic care, interdisciplinary learning and symptom management. It became part of the CP1 course in 2004. The CP1 placements aim to give a good grounding in clinical skills and team working. Reservations have been expressed about the impact on patients and the appropriateness of exposing 3rd year medical students to end of life care so early in their training.

Aim To ascertain whether a CP1 Placement in an in-patient palliative care unit: Has a role in medical student education preparing ‘Tomorrows Doctors’

as a scholar/scientist, practitioner and professional. Is an appropriate environment for junior medical students. Is acceptable to our patients.

Methods A questionnaire is given to each medical student on CP1 placement in Palliative Medicine during 2011 to complete at the end of their week. In addition we are giving patients who have been seen by a medical student a short questionnaire to ascertain their views on medical student interactions.

Results In a previous departmental audit and in other research, patients have reported favourably about their experience of being involved with medical student teaching. We hope that analysis of the 2011 responses will add to the evidence that the hospice setting is an important learning opportunity for students but also a positive experience for patients. A more detailed evaluation of results will be presented.