Effectiveness of multidisciplinary pre-graduate education in palliative care: Survey of pharmacy students

Abstract

As a first step in training pharmacists who can manage cancer pain in team medicine according to the WHO method for cancer pain relief, a questionnaire survey of pharmacy students was conducted regarding the effectiveness of multidisciplinary pre-graduate courses in palliative care. These courses are offered to teach pharmacy students what they should know to provide effective palliative care. The results show that students recognized the importance of pharmacotherapy and communication. With regards to pain, students learned and understood “total pain palliation,” which is the fundamental and key aspect of palliative medicine. Because understanding of “total pain palliation” is essential for understanding of “the pathology of cancer pain,” the New Pharmaceutical Sciences Education Model Core Curriculum has been offered since 2015, suggesting the utility of a multidisciplinary teaching approach in the New Pharmaceutical Sciences Education Model Core Curriculum. This study also revealed the influence of experience in practical training courses and interest in palliative care among students, suggesting that it is necessary to develop a curriculum that is not affected by these factors.