Knowledge and attitudes towards end-of-life care amongst medical students

Background: End-of-life care (EOLC) is a critical aspect of medical practice that requires both a specific skill set and a compassionate approach. Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and experiences of undergraduate medical students and interns regarding EOLC at a medical college in southern India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from June to September 2024, involving 186 medical students and interns who completed a self-administered questionnaire through Google Forms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests and ANOVA. Results: The mean knowledge score was 18.19 out of 25 (standard deviation = 4.573), indicating a moderate understanding of EOLC. Students scored highest in ‘Ethical and Spiritual Considerations’ (mean 3.74). Prior personal experience with a serious illness or death had a significant impact on knowledge scores. Most respondents recognised the importance of EOLC and supported patient autonomy but reported a lack of confidence in discussing end-of-life preferences. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for enhanced EOLC training in medical curricula, particularly in palliative care principles and communication skills, and suggests greater opportunities for practical exposure. Although these findings highlight critical educational gaps, the single-institution scope and methodological limitations of this study should be taken into account. Further, multicentre studies are needed before making broader policy-level recommendations.