title: The impact of pediatric palliative care education on medical students' knowledge and attitudes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most undergraduate palliative care curricula omit pediatric palliative care (PPC) issues. Aim of the study was to evaluate the pilot education programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 391 students of Faculty of Medicine (FM) and 59 students of Division of Nursing (DN) were included in anonymous questionnaire study. Respondents were tested on their knowledge and attitude towards PPC issues before and at the end of the programme and were expected to evaluate the programme at the end.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For final analysis, authors qualified 375 double forms filled in correctly (320 FM and 55 DN). Before the programme, students' knowledge assessed on 0-100-point scale was low (FM: median: 43.35 points; 25%-75%: (40p-53.3p); DN: 26.7p; 13.3p-46.7p), and, in addition, there were differences (P < 0.001) between both faculties. Upon completion of the programme, significant increase of the level of knowledge in both faculties was noted (FM: 80p; 73.3-100; DN: 80p; 66.7p-80p). Participation in the programme changed declared attitudes towards some aspects of withholding of special procedures, euthanasia, and abortion. Both groups of students positively evaluated the programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identifies medical students' limited knowledge of PPC. Educational intervention changes students' attitudes to the specific end-of-life issues. There is a need for palliative care curricula evaluation.
authors: Pediatric Palliative Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lodz, 36/50 Sporna Street, 91-738 Łodz, Poland ; Gajusz Foundation, Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Home Hospice for Children of Lodz Region, 87 Dąbrowskiego Street, 93-271 Lodz, Poland.
authors: Aleksandra
authors: A
authors: Korzeniewska-Eksterowicz
authors: Pediatric Palliative Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lodz, 36/50 Sporna Street, 91-738 Łodz, Poland ; Gajusz Foundation, Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Home Hospice for Children of Lodz Region, 87 Dąbrowskiego Street, 93-271 Lodz, Poland.
authors: Łukasz
authors: Ł
authors: Przysło
authors: Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, 10/12 Smugowa Street, 91-433 Lodz, Poland.
authors: Bogna
authors: B
authors: Kędzierska
authors: Gajusz Foundation, Pediatric Palliative Care Center, Home Hospice for Children of Lodz Region, 87 Dąbrowskiego Street, 93-271 Lodz, Poland ; Department of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lodz, 36/50 Sporna Street, 91-738 Łodz, Poland.
authors: Małgorzata
authors: M
authors: Stolarska
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Diabetology, Medical University of Lodz, 36/50 Sporna Street, 91-738 Łodz, Poland.
authors: Wojciech
authors: W
authors: Młynarski
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires