Implementation of a novel palliative care curriculum for dermatology residents

Abstract

Increasing literature suggests that palliative care and dermatology are closely intertwined; however, there are no documented palliative care curricula in dermatology residency. In this study, we developed a palliative care curriculum for Harvard dermatology residents, and assessed residents’ knowledge, skills and attitudes towards palliative care before and after the curriculum. We found that a palliative care curriculum increases residents’ knowledge and confidence in goals of care discussions and palliative care referrals, and that a palliative care curriculum is well received among dermatology residents.