End-of-Life and Palliative Care Education in US Pharmacy Schools

Abstract

The objective of this endeavor was to ascertain the current status of end-of-life and palliative care within the curriculum of US pharmacy schools and compare to a similar 1986 study. Additionally, responses to recent professional guidelines for pharmacy schools regarding end-of-life issues can be addressed. A fixed-choice survey was mailed to the 125 US pharmacy schools with a 49% response rate. Results revealed that the lecture format of teaching on end-of-life issues continues to be used today with an increase in offerings and greater participation by students than in 1986. Recently established guidelines and standards regarding end-of-life issues for pharmacy schools are being addressed, thus today’s pharmacists should be better prepared to relate to patients with terminal illnesses and their families than in 1986.