ArticleJMIR research protocols2026
Death Literacy and Death Competence in Undergraduate Clinical and Allied Health Education: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.
Article in JMIR research protocols, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07737028 (The Effect of Web-Based End-of-Life and Post-Mortem Care Education on Nursing Students' Post-Mortem Self-Efficacy, Death Literacy, and Attitudes Toward the Principles of a Dignified Death), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
The Effect of Web-Based End-of-Life and Post-Mortem Care Education on Nursing Students' Post-Mortem Self-Efficacy, Death Literacy, and Attitudes Toward the Principles of a Dignified Death: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundEnd-of-life care is a critical competency for the health care workforce, yet evidence suggests that many health care professionals feel unprepared to engage with death, dying, and bereavement. Death literacy and death competence are emerging frameworks for assessing readiness to provide high-quality, compassionate care. Although validated tools exist, little is known about the preparedness of final-year undergraduate health care students in Australia. Understanding their current levels of death literacy and death competence is essential for informing curriculum design and strengthening workforce capacity.
objectiveThis study aims to (1) measure death literacy and death competence among final-year students in medicine, nursing, and allied health programs in Australian universities; (2) explore students' reflections on how undergraduate training has shaped their preparedness for end-of-life care; and (3) identify educational needs and opportunities for curriculum enhancement.
methodsA mixed methods design will be used. An online survey (15-20 minutes) will be distributed to final-year students across multiple Australian universities. The survey includes the Death Literacy Index, the Death Competency Scale, and open-ended reflection questions. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (in SPSS and Stata), with subgroup comparisons across disciplines and benchmarking against national professional datasets. Qualitative responses will be analyzed thematically. In phase 2, up to 20 students will participate in 2 focus groups (60-90 minutes each). The focus groups will explore survey findings and students' perceptions of training, preparedness, and gaps. Data will be transcribed, anonymized, and analyzed thematically using NVivo.
resultsData collection for the national survey is scheduled from September 2025 to December 2025, with an anticipated sample of 60 to 120 final-year students across medicine, nursing, and allied health disciplines. Data analysis will begin in March 2026, and findings are expected to be published in late 2026. The findings will establish baseline measures of death literacy and death competence among final-year health care students and identify strengths and gaps in current curricula. Results will be synthesized to provide actionable insights for educators and to inform future intervention studies.
conclusionsBy providing the first Australian pilot data on death literacy and death competence among final-year health care students, this study will inform curriculum development and workforce planning. The findings have the potential to enhance educational strategies, improve the preparedness of graduates for delivering end-of-life care, and contribute to the development of a death-literate health system. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/86867.
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