Background: This study was inspired on the training that residents receive on how to confront an end of life situation (EOLS) with the patients and their families. The end of life is a neglected topic in many postgraduate residency programs worldwide. The purpose of the present study is to explore the training and role models the residents are exposed during their training.
Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was sent by e-mail to every postgraduate student in a residency program in the faculty of Medicine at Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile. The content analysis is presented of the open questions in the questionnaire.
Results: A total of 150 students were sent a questionnaire with only 23 of them responding. In relation to feeling prepared confronting EOLS there is a trend towards an absence of preparedness and training. There are few who recall experiencing EOLS during undergraduate and/or residency. In relation to the role of their clinical tutors they perceive and absence of role modeling and they find this in other health care professionals. Their training derives mainly from Bioethics courses and lectures, seminars, case studies among others. In agreement with the literature, our residents feel scarcely prepared to confront EOLS. Only in few instances did the clinical tutors managed to model their skills in these situations. The residents have few opportunities confronting EOLS and when they do there is little opportunity for role modelling or feedback.
Conclusions: The present study shows how there is a lack of preparedness on the topic and evidences the necessity to introduce formal training in this very relevant area.