Hospice Home Immersion Project: Advancing Medical Education

Abstract

Background: The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Hospice Immersion project was piloted in Maine, USA, 2014. It was designed and implemented as an experiential medical education learning model whereby medical students were“admitted” into the local Hospice Home to live there for 48 hours. Until this project, palliative and end of life care education at US Medical Schools were accomplished through traditional medical education methods. Methods: The project utilizes qualitative ethnographic and autobiographic research designs, whereby a unique environment or“culture” (Hospice Home) is observed and life experiences of the medical student before, during, and immediately after the immersion are reported by him/her. Results: Students report new found skills in patient care such as the 1) importance of physical touch; 2) significance of communication at the end of life for the patient, family, and staff; 3) the value of authenticity and sincerity that comes from being comfortable with oneself, which allows silence to communicate caring; 4) connection with and awareness of the person (rather than their terminal illness) and their family; and 5) the importance of speaking with patients and their families about end of life plans in advance. Conclusion: This project humanizes dying and death, solidified student realization that dying is a part of life and what an honor it is to be a part of the care process that alleviates pain, increases comfort, values communication, and human connections. Medical education in death and dying is advanced; essential in preparing our future physicians.