title: Situational analysis of palliative care education in thai medical schools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Thai Medical School Palliative Care Network conducted this study to establish the current state of palliative care education in Thai medical schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was given to 2 groups that included final year medical students and instructors in 16 Thai medical schools. The questionnaire covered 4 areas related to palliative care education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An insufficient proportion of students (defined as fewer than 60%) learned nonpain symptoms control (50.0%), goal setting and care planning (39.0%), teamwork (38.7%), and pain management (32.7%). Both medical students and instructors reflected that palliative care education was important as it helps to improve quality of care and professional competence. The percentage of students confident to provide palliative care services under supervision of their senior, those able to provide services on their own, and those not confident to provide palliative care services were 57.3%, 33.3%, and 9.4%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of knowledge in palliative care in students may lower their level of confidence to practice palliative care. In order to prepare students to achieve a basic level of competency in palliative care, each medical school has to carefully put palliative care content into the undergraduate curriculum.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Krishna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suvarnabhumi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Non
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sowanna
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Surin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiraniramai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Darin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jaturapatporn
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nonglak
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanitsap
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, University of Bangkok Metropolis, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chiroj
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soorapanth
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kanate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thanaghumtorn
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, KhonKaen University, KhonKaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Napa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Limratana
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Lanchasak
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Akkayagorn
authors.affiliation: Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Dusit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Staworn
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Rungnirand
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Praditsuwan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
authors.forename: Naporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uengarporn
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand.
authors.forename: Teabaluck
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sirithanawutichai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Burapha University, Chon Buri, Thailand.
authors.forename: Komwudh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konchalard
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Srinakarindtharaviroj University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chaturon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tangsangwornthamma
authors.affiliation: Walailak University School of Medicine, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
authors.forename: Mayuree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vasinanukorn
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Temsak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phungrassami
keywords: medical education; palliative care; situational analysis; undergraduate