Medical students talking to hospice patients.
BACKGROUND
All newly qualified doctors will look after patients in the last stages of life.


BACKGROUND
This article is a review of the literature regarding medical students learning from hospice patients, focusing on practical concerns of relevance to those involved in organising or conducting medical student teaching.


METHODS
Medical students have increasing opportunities to learn about palliative care from talking to patients in a hospice. This resource is not fully utilised, in part because of concerns about patient and student welfare. These concerns are not supported by current research findings, including a qualitative interview study of patients and staff.


CONCLUSIONS
We would encourage course coordinators to use opportunities for medical students to talk to hospice patients in order to enhance the education of medical students.
Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK. amy.gadoud@hyms.ac.uk
Amy
A
Gadoud
Lesley
L
Jones
Miriam
M
Johnson
Yousef
Y
Adcock
Milind
M
Arolker
Julia
J
Barnes
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*