MCLIN 410 - PALLIATIVE CARE ELECTIVE SENIOR ELECTIVE

[152 Hours]

Hospice and palliative medicine is comprehensive, interdiscipinary care for patients with advanced, progressive, life-threatening illnesses and their families. The Palliative Care Senior elective is designed to give medical students an introduction to the art of providing palliative care to diverse populations. Students will have the opportunity to observe facuty and patients in both adult and pediatric facilities. They will attend lectures/seminars, complete self-study modules and participate in multi-discipinary rounds with a hospice agency. By the end of the elective, the student will learn and practice key communication skils necessary in initial assessment of patients with palliative needs, as well as in addressing advance directive planning, goals of care discussions and hospice planning. They will identify psychosocial factors that influence care with the input and assistance of the interprofessional team. They will become familiar with the principles of pain management, and understand the approach to frequently encountered non-pay symptoms in the cancer patient population, such as dyspnea, nausea/vomiting, constipation, anxiety, delirium, and fatigue. These skills are applicable to students with a variety of career and professional goals. Prerequisites: Completion of Years 1, 2, and 3 of Medical School