ABSTRACT
Palliative Care (PC) is a multidisciplinary team approach that deals with patients and their families under conditions of life-threatening illness aimed at improving their quality of life. With the increase of chronic-degenerative diseases, it is estimated that 20 million patients in the world require this type of care. With regard to medical training geared toward this demand there is scarce mention of PC in the National Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Medical Courses. However, when the official text is reviewed, several parallels can be drawn between the general guidelines and the principles of PC, such as humanistic training, prioritization of vulnerable patients, valuing human dignity, bioethics, respect for the patient’s autonomy, person-centered approach, team work, family approach, communication and evidence-based practices. The study of these common points shows PC to be a potential educational strategy for the acquisition of required skills and competencies according to the official guidelines. In this regard, the inclusion of PC in undergraduate medical courses will broaden the professional training of future physicians, as well as helping guarantee quality care for seriously ill patients, especially those in the final stages of their lives.
Palliative Care; Undergraduate Medical Education; Curriculum; Medical Education