The Necessity for End-of-Life Care Education: A Preliminary Analysis with Interns at Two University Hospitals / 한국호스피스완화의료학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was performed to explore the current state of end-of-life (EoL) care education provided to new interns at two university hospitals. METHODS: A questionnaire was given to incoming interns (N=64). The levels of acquired knowledge and experience of clinical observation were measured. Seven areas for self-assessment questions were identified and used to analyze the interns' attitudes towards EoL-related education and practice. RESULTS: On average, participants learned five elements (nine in total) from EoL-related classes and two (seven in total) from clinical observation. The most frequently educated element was how to deliver bad news (96.9%) in the classroom setting and how to control physical symptoms (56.5%) in clinical observation. Less than 20% received training on EoL care communication, including discussion of advanced directives. Compared with participants who had no EoL training, those who had EoL training showed positive attitudes in all seven categories regarding overall satisfaction, interest and preparedness in relation to EoL-care classes and practice. CONCLUSION: Although interns are responsible for caring of dying patients, their EoL training in classroom and clinical settings was very insufficient. Further research should be conducted to establish an education system that provides sufficient knowledge and training on EoL care.