The aim of this taskforce is to develop a Call to Action on Undergraduate Education in Palliative Medicine. This is based on the WHO Resolution in 2014 urging member states to include palliative care as an integral component of the ongoing education and training offered to care providers, in accordance with their roles and responsibilities. This includes the following principle that basic training and continuing education in palliative care is an integrated element of all undergraduate medical education.

This is in line with the EAPC Budapest Commitments in 2007 to have palliative care inserted in the curriculum for medical students. This was reinforced in the Prague Charter in 2013 to ensure that healthcare workers receive adequate training on palliative care and pain management at undergraduate and subsequent levels Furthermore, to adopt the necessary changes in the training curricula for physicians at an  undergraduate level to ensure that all physicianss obtain basic knowledge about palliative care and are able to provide it to patients regardless of where in the healthcare system they work. 

Aim: To develop a Call to Action on Undergraduate Education in Palliative Medicine based on the WHO Resolution in 2014, in line with the EAPC Budapest Commitments in 2007 to have palliative care inserted in the curriculum for medical students, reinforced in the EAPC Prague Charter in 2013.

Objectives of the Call to Action will be based on the following:

1. To integrate palliative medicine as a core component within the national framework for undergraduate education.
2. To ensure all universities in Europe have integrated Palliative Medicine in their curricula
3. To collaborate with undergraduate student organisations with specific interest in palliative medicine
4. To establish ongoing dialogue with Editors of high impact Medical Education Journals raising the profile and presence of research in palliative medicine education
5. To have a European meeting on undergraduate medical education in palliative medicine, linked with established National Meetings
6. To promote Research in undergraduate Education

The aim of this taskforce is to develop a Call to Action on Undergraduate Education in Palliative Medicine. This is based on the WHO Resolution in 2014 urging member states to include palliative care as an integral component of the ongoing education and training offered to care providers, in accordance with their roles and responsibilities. This includes the following principle that basic training and continuing education in palliative care is an integrated element of all undergraduate medical education.

This is in line with the EAPC Budapest Commitments in 2007 to have palliative care inserted in the curriculum for medical students. This was reinforced in the Prague Charter in 2013 to ensure that healthcare workers receive adequate training on palliative care and pain management at undergraduate and subsequent levels Furthermore, to adopt the necessary changes in the training curricula for physicians at an  undergraduate level to ensure that all physicianss obtain basic knowledge about palliative care and are able to provide it to patients regardless of where in the healthcare system they work.

Current research has shown that the major barrier to the development of Palliative Care in Europe is the lack of undergraduate medical education in the field (C. Centeno et al. 2015, in press).

It is imperative that the EAPC recognise the urgent need to promote Palliative Medicine in undergraduate medical education.

This is the basis to this taskforce developing a Call to Action in this pivotal area.

2015-11: Develop and submit a written proposal to EAPC board for approval

2016: To examine national frameworks for medical education and to undertake case studies in undergradute education in palliative medicine at the universities in Lyon – France , Navarra - Spain, Aachen - Germany, Bologna – Italy, Lisbon - Portugal, Pecs - Hungary & Liverpool, England.

2016: Modified Delphi of the Call-to-Action objectives with the persons of the Curriculum Advisory Board

2016-06 : Presentation at the Dublin EAPC Conference

2016-09 : Finalisation of the Call to Action by the members of the EAPC Steering Group

2017 : Launch of Call to Action at the EAPC Conference in Madrid 

Expenses will be covered the members of the EAPC Steering Group on Medical Education and Training.