Table 2 Implications for Curricular and Policy Reform

EM residency programs do not have a formal palliative care curricula.

Formal palliative care curricula should be developed for EM residency programs and should cover the core PC and EOL competencies for EM physicians.

The HPM-EM domains developed by Shoenberger et al.¹⁸ can be adopted to create a culturally and locally relevant PC curriculum for UAE’s EM programs.

Hospitals lack comprehensive PC services.

Hospitals should recruit multidisciplinary PC specialists, including PC physicians, nurses, social workers, and faith-based professionals who can provide in-hospital PC care and link with community resources. The multidisciplinary team can role model and teach effective PC skills.

Professional development programs in PC principles, goals of care communication skills, and pain and EOL symptom management should be available for all EM healthcare professionals.

There is a cultural reluctance to adopt end-of-life care policies.

Nation and hospital-wide educational campaigns should take place to raise awareness on DNR policies. The Emirates Palliative and Supportive Care working group can provide guidance and support in developing culturally acceptable EOL communication and symptom management guidelines.

EM residency programs have many mechanisms to support residents after patient death but lack a formalized process.

EM programs should integrate other professions, including social workers, psychologists, and faith-based leaders, in bereavement debriefing to address resident emotions and psychological well-being after patient death.

Programs should also offer debriefing workshops to faculty and residents to build their skills providing resident and peer support after distressing patient care events.