Serious Illness Care Education Forum: Harvard Medical School

At our February session of our Serious Illness Care Education Forum, Dr. Kirsten Engel and Dr. Dorothy Tolchin from Harvard Medical School discussed the powerful feedback they’ve received from students on a new, half-day hospice and palliative medicine clinical immersion program. Students’ surveys and personal reflections reported increased understanding of palliative care competencies and also shared significant emotional experiences and responses to the immersion. Dr. Engel and Dr. Tolchin highlighted the importance of supporting students through these experiences and teaching them not only about palliative care and communication, but also about sustaining personal wellness.