Up to 40% of surgeries performed at academic centers are palliative in nature. However, most surgeons report a lack of training and exposure to palliative care (PC). This is often attributed to the lack of standardized PC education programs during surgical training. In this study, we summarize current PC education programs for surgeons and evaluate their efficacy in improving PC-related educational outcomes.

Three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane) were systematically searched for studies between 1st January 2005 and 28th February 2023. We included studies on PC education programs for surgical residents or fellows. Learning objectives, content coverage, and mode of delivery of each program was recorded. Efficacy of the programs in improving PC related educational outcomes was measured and included PC knowledge, communication skills , and changes in attitudes and beliefs.

We included 10 studies in which 577 surgeons underwent PC education programs.

Eight studies focused on communication skills, including breaking bad news, code status clarification and prognoses discussions. Five studies focused on PC knowledge, including management of end-of-life symptoms, hospice care, and outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. PC program duration and modes of delivery varied from didactic lectures, case-based discussions, role-play, to specialist PC work attachments. Post-program, all studies reported an increase in PC knowledge scores. 87% of studies reported improvements in communication skills and a change in attitude favoring PC.

PC education programs for surgeons vary widely in educational objectives, content, mode of delivery and efficacy measures. Our findings highlight the imperative to develop a standardized surgical PC curriculum to facilitate PC training among surgeons.