Values and Uncertainty at End of Life: A Standardized Patient Case for Preclinical Medical Students
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Physician learners desire more and higher-quality education on end-of-life care. Challenges include the inherent difficulties of clinical uncertainty and how to provide meaningful experiences for early learners. This standardized patient (SP) encounter features a patient facing a newly terminal diagnosis. The patient's goals and values are not specific, and the encounter has an open-ended resolution. This low-stakes formative exercise was administered to preclinical medical students. Methods: = 175, 96% of the class) later provided feedback as part of an overall curriculum evaluation. Results: = 6.3/7.0). On retrospective evaluation, students felt the case accessed the uncertainty learning objective (98% agreed or strongly agreed). Discussion: The case feasibly targeted the uncertainty- and prognosis-related learning objectives. Students found it challenging but performed well and rated their experience positively. We discuss overall strengths and areas for improvement as well as options for future implementation.
Source: MedEdPORTAL
Authors: Ryan Jenkins, Anastasia Rowland-Seymour, Erin Gentry Lamb
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408137519