Attitudes Toward and Experiences in End-of-life Care Education in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Resident physicians provide the most physician care to intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The body of literature about residents’ palliative and end-of-life care (PC/EOLC) experiences in the ICU is limited. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess resident physicians in multiple specialties regarding PC/EOLC in the ICU. Methods: A Web-based survey was developed and administered to all resident physicians in a single academic institution who had completed at least 1 dedicated ICU rotation. Results: Residents reported moderate comfort in dealing with end-of-life (EOL) issues and felt somewhat prepared to care for critically ill patients at the EOL. Feedback should be provided to residents regarding their PC/EOLC skills, and education should be tailored to residents rotating in the ICU.