Abstract

Background/Objectives: Palliative care should be seen as a human right and should be integrated into the healthcare system. Adequate palliative care education is seen as a facilitator to develop the integration of palliative care.

Aims: To synthesize evidence of the effect of different teaching methods used in palliative care education to students’ competences, knowledge, attitude, or skills.

Methods: Systematic review. Four databases (CINAHL, Eric, PubMed and Scopus) were searched, identifying 16 articles.

Findings: Simulations, lectures, films and a humanistic approach all had a positive effect on students’ attitudes to care of a dying person. Problem-based learning, simulations and elective courses increased students’ knowledge of palliative care. Game interventions in education, decreased students’ fear of death and communication with dying patients and relatives became easier.

Conclusions: Education interventions had positive effects on students’ attitudes and knowledge. However, there is a need for rigorous research about effective palliative care interventions using randomized designs, research about the effects of blended learning.