RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Spiritual dimension in palliative medicine: a qualitative study of learning tasks: medical students, teachers, educationalists
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP bmjspcare-2021-003026
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003026
A1 Jolien Pieters
A1 Daniëlle Verstegen
A1 Diana Dolmans
A1 Evelien Neis
A1 Franca Warmenhoven
A1 Marieke van den Beuken-van Everdingen
YR 2021
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2021/07/20/bmjspcare-2021-003026.abstract
AB Background Palliative care is gaining importance within the physician’s range of duties. In the undergraduate medical curriculum, education on the four dimensions of care is insufficient. The spiritual dimension is hardly addressed. Therefore, we developed a coherent set of learning tasks targeted at learning to communicate about the spiritual dimension. The learning tasks are based on educational principles of authentic learning, reflective learning and longitudinal integration in the curriculum. This article reports on the feasibility of using these learning tasks in the medical curricula.Methods Teachers and educational scientists were interviewed and students were asked to evaluate the learning tasks in focus groups. Interview transcripts were analysed by three independent researchers.Results The learning tasks encourage the students to reflect on the four dimensions of palliative care and their personal values. Learning was clearly organised around authentic learning tasks relevant to the later profession, using paper, video cases, as well as simulations and real patients. Participants suggest giving more attention to cultural diversity. As palliative care is an emotionally charged subject, the safety of both student and patient should be guaranteed. All participants indicated that the program should start in the bachelor phase and most agreed that it should be integrated vertically and horizontally throughout the undergraduate program, although there is some debate about the optimal moment to start.Conclusion The tasks, are authentic, encourage the students to reflect on the spiritual dimension of palliative care and are suitable for integration in the undergraduate medical curriculum.Data are available on reasonable request.