Physical therapists are taking on a growing role in HPC. This abstract outlines the process of enhancing awareness among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students regarding their responsibilities in HPC through a curriculum designed to encourage reflection on their knowledge and comfort level when discussing death and dying.
Nazareth University students encounter HPC in their course on the management of older adults. Before class, they read two articles, and a brief book focused on death and dying. During class, they first received a 45-minute traditional presentation on HPC, covering terminology, history, and care approaches. Recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of palliative care, a social worker (MSW) who authored the assigned readings joined the class for an hour. She shared her experiences and then guided the students in collaborative peer learning activities using three original prompts.
To evaluate their understanding, perspectives, and growth, students completed Frommelt’s Attitudes Towards Dying Scale, a 30-question survey originallydesigned for nurses and later adapted for healthcare professionals, both before and after the content was delivered.
Additionally, the post-survey included an open-ended question: "In your own words, how do you feel your attitude towards dying (and your role as a PT in death and dying) has changed as a result of learning about this material and hearing from the guest lecturer?"
A paired t-test was conducted, yielding a significance level of 0.014, which suggesting a positive shift in attitude following this experience. Notably, the responses to the additional question revealed a strong increase in comfort discussing death and dying with patients and among peers.
Students in this cohort demonstrated significant improvement in their understanding of the role of PT in hospice and palliative care. They gained insights into their own attitudes towards dying, with many expressing a newfound interest in pursuing careers in hospice care. Out of 43 qualitative responses, 33 students reported increased comfort discussing death and dying with their patients. Additional comments reflected a deeper exploration of personal grief and heightened awareness of the physical therapist's role in hospice and palliative care. This interdisciplinary and interactive learning experience has the potential to transform Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students’ perspectives on HPC, enhancing their ability to work effectively in this critical area of healthcare.
Given the growing field of hospice and palliative care and the increasing involvement of physical therapists in end-of-life care, it is essential to educate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in a manner that positively influences their attitudes toward death and dying as well as working with patients in hospice and palliative settings.
Hospice
Palliative Care
