The impact of a clinical rotation in hospice: medical students' perspectives.

Medical educators agree that training in end-of-life care (EOLC) must be an integral part of medical education at all levels. While progress in this area of education has taken place, many gaps still exist. This article describes the self-reported impact of a required one-week hospice rotation for third-year medical students.

Public disclosure in research with exception from informed consent: the use of survey methods to assess its effectiveness.

IN CLINICAL TRIALS WITH EXCEPTION from informed consent, the Final Rule stipulates that investigators inform and consult with the community. A random-digit-dialing survey of 200 individuals assessed the effectiveness of public disclosure via press releases, notices in local newspapers, local radio and television stations and the host hospital's website, as well as a series of community meetings regarding a pending clinical trial of this kind. Results showed a 10% awareness level of the public trial, which is higher than surveys using convenience samples.

A qualitative examination of the needs of families faced with the option of organ donation.

Fewer than half of families approached about organ donation provide consent. Identifying specific support needs of family members in these situations is critical to help them cope and for improving consent rates. This focus group study retrospectively investigated donor and non-donor family members' perceived social support needs while facing the death of their loved one.