A challenge to medical schools.
Future doctors need to recognise dying, be able to describe its process and be able to behave comfortably alongside dying people. 'Being with' isn't a medical task, but a human one, and it is an important skill set.
Suggest:

1. First year students are allocated a volunteer patient who is thought to be in their last year of life. Students visit in pairs at home over the academic year, attending hospital if the patient is admitted.
5 pairs meet twice a term to discuss their learning with tutor.

2. Students are asked to find out what their volunteer patient understands about their illness; what they expect about dying; any concerns they have.
Request permission to observe visits from GP, DN, pall care team, other LTCs experts.
Compare learning in seminar group.

3. Students' seminar meetings include info about ordinary dying & advance care planning, to give context to their visits.
4. Students make at least one bereavement visit to patient's family and/or write personal condolences letters.

5. Final year students spend 2 wks in hospice IP unit/COTE ward as personal support/helpers to families of dying people.
Help to ensure pt's visitors are supplied with beverages; top-up car parking; offer to sit with patient if family goes for meal.
Visit pt at least 2x daily