Design Thinking: An Interprofessional Method for Finding Comfort in the Discomfort Surrounding End-of-Life Conversations Between Providers and Patients

Abstract

This paper discusses the development of a novel curriculum utilizing design thinking practices to train physician assistant (PA) students in conducting end-of-life (EOL) conversations. The curriculum aims to equip future healthcare providers with the necessary communication skills for advanced care planning (ACP) and goals of care (GOC) discussions, which are crucial for respecting patient autonomy and improving care quality. This training program, which includes utilization of the design thinking framework, role-playing, and community volunteer involvement, addresses the current gap in EOL conversation training. The anticipated outcomes of integrating structured strategies for difficult conversations in medical education include enhanced patient autonomy and bolstered provider confidence, contributing to improved clinical communication and decision-making efficacy.