A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
A New Curriculum for Palliative Undergraduate Medical Education in Finland: A Qualitative Documentary Analysis
Authors: Vanhanen, Aija; Hökkä, Minna; Lamminmäki, Annamarja; Niemi-Murola, Leila; Akrén, Outi; Pöyhiä, Reino
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc.
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Journal of Palliative Medicine
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
First page : 91
Last page: 96
ISSN: 1096-6218
eISSN: 1557-7740
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10966218251377193
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1177/10966218251377193
Background: A new, national competence-based curriculum of palliative medicine (PM) undergraduate teaching has recently been created to support mandatory PM education in Finnish medical schools.
Objectives: To analyze the Finnish curriculum (FC) of PM and compare it with the European EDUPALL curriculum.
Material and Methods: A qualitative documentary analysis was used to compare contents, learning methods, and delivery of teaching recommended in both curricula.
Results: The FC provides practical and detailed instructions for learning core, important, and good-to-know knowledge of PM, both in a dedicated course and within other subjects. The structure of the FC is in accordance with EDUPALL. The FC (81 hours) makes up 1% of the total teaching volume of a six-year Finnish medical degree and is larger than EDUPALL (72 hours).
Conclusions: The new FC aligns with the updated European Association for Palliative Care curriculum. The FC provides graduating physicians with sufficient basic knowledge of PM.
Keywords:
medical students, Palliative Medicine, Undergraduate education
Funding information in the publication:
No funding was received for this article.
