Palliative care in an active teaching methodology

Abstract This study evaluates the knowledge about palliative care of medical students in their final years at universities that adopt problem-based learning methodology in Northeast Brazil. It was observed that 78% of the students did not have sufficient information on the care of terminally ill patients, and only 55% knew the World Health Organization’s definition of palliative care. Regarding specific knowledge, students showed an unsatisfactory level of achievement in the domains of dyspnea, psychiatric and gastrointestinal problems; acceptable in the pain domain and excellent in philosophy of palliative care and communication skills. Knowledge regarding pain management, dyspnea and psychiatric problems improved during the internship. Therefore, it was found that students come into contact with the subject but have a significant deficit in issues related to the management of common symptoms in palliative care.