Medical students’ knowledge of and attitude towards palliative care after placement at Hospice Africa Uganda

Dr Ludoviko Zirimenya, Dr Mwebesa Eddie, Dr Monday Isaac Baguma and Nabitaka Josephine.

Hospice Africa Uganda

Introduction:

• Since Hospice Africa Uganda’s inception in 1993, medical students at Makerere University have undergone clinical placement.

• To expose them to the practical aspects of palliative care and the realities in the homes of the suffering sick.

Background

• HAU together with Makerere University and Ministry of Health incorporated palliative care in the undergraduate curriculum

Gap the project is addressing:

• to ensure that graduate doctors have palliative care knowledge and skills.

Description of the project:

• Attend lectures at the Makerere palliative care unit

• Medical students spend 4 days at HAU

• Engaging in home visits, out patient consultations, outreaches and case conferences

• Survey filled on day 4 among 59 medical students in 2012

Results:

54

35

12

8

59

4

11

42

45

0

1

13

5

6

0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

supported early palliative care

willingness to work in a palliative care setting

It is what is done when nothing more can be done

morphine used for pain control is not addictive

focus of palliative care is to improve QOL

not sure

no

yes

Views of Medical students…

• “It has taught me a lot about palliative care, also learnt a lot about pain management in palliative care”

• “It has been a great experience as it has changed and modified my approach to patients as a whole none so terminally ill patients”

...Views of Medical student

• “Ready to teach, I have appreciated the need of palliative care in Uganda, been touched by the lives of patients visited”

• “Has opened up my insight into terminal illness and has enabled me to appreciate end of life in terminally ill patients”

Conclusion

• Medical students were Knowledgeable at end of placement

• Despite fears of morphine addiction in 76% of students, good attitude was noted at end of placement

Recommendations

• Incorporation of clinical placement in training enhances knowledge and improves attitudes of the medical students

• Morphine addiction fears among prescribers should be continuously addressed as they practice

Thank you

Acknowledgements:

• Hospice Africa Uganda Team

• Medical students