Abstract

The increasing demand for high-quality palliative care access in Austria underscores the importance of incorporating palliative care into medical education. This pioneering study explores the status of undergraduate palliative care education in Austrian medical schools using a mixed-methods approach. Expert interviews and online surveys conducted between March and August 2022 were analyzed thematically and descriptively-statistically. The study's findings reveal significant variation in the provision of palliative care education across universities, with disparities in hours, organization, teaching formats, and interprofessional aspects. While the current state does not align with European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) curriculum recommendations, several universities are actively planning measures to enhance palliative care teaching, including mandatory instruction and innovative formats. Enhanced coordination and collaboration within and between universities are suggested for the improvement and expansion of palliative care education.