Table 2 Comments on teaching and learning about goals of care conversations

General perceptions of GCC

A challenging conversation

Residents responsible for majority of GCC

GCC skills important for all residents

Most residents already skilled in GCC

Residents confident in GCC

“Can be a difficult topic in certain situations.”

“Residents do the majority of goals of care discussions.”

“Necessary learning for all residents in all programs!”

“The majority [of residents] are reasonably good at this.”

“I believe that our residents are comfortable discussing goals of care.”

Needs for GCC teaching

Gap in formal GCC teaching

Uncertain quality of GCC teaching

Formal GCC teaching would be valuable

GCC teaching already well-integrated into curriculum

“It is in our objectives and is a gap in our education process.”

“I suspect our current instruction around goals of care are somewhat variable in terms of quality.”

“I think it would be valuable to add a more formal didactic component to how we teach this.”

“I believe our program discusses goals of care and models this process very well through our preceptors.”

Ideas for GCC teaching

Tailored to discipline-specific needs

Avoiding formulaic approaches

Specific techniques

“Our needs might be a little different than other programs.”

“Every situation is different… a ‘formulaic approach’ may be counterproductive.”

Online modules, podcasts, practical tips, workshops, simulation, clinical exposure, role modeling, mentorship

Assessment of GCC

Current assessment methods artificial

Standardized assessment tool would be valuable

“At times artificial measures of assessment of expertise in this area.”

“A standardized tool for evaluating these discussions is an excellent idea.”