Assessing the Effectiveness and Acceptability of Interprofessional Palliative Care Education

Abstract

Interprofessional education in health care in general and palliative care has been the focus of increasing attention in recent years. However, there is still controversy about its outcomes and few courses have been evaluated. The aims of this evaluation were to explore (1) the career progression of former students who attended an interprofessional MSc in palliative care; (2) the activities former students were engaged in as a result of attending the course; and (3) the experience of attending an interprofessional postgraduate course in palliative care. Former students who attended the course between January 1998 and January 2004 were surveyed using a postal questionnaire. Of the 56 students who completed the course, 44 (79%) responded; 23 (52%) were doctors, 20 (45%) nurses, and one an occupational therapist. Career progression was significant for doctors (Z=-2.08, p=0.04) and for nurses (Z=-2.4, p=0.017). Thirty-nine (89%) former students believed this was due to attending the course. Former students described a wide range of clinical, research, and service development activities they were involved in as a result of attending the course. Qualitative data highlighted the benefits of attending an interprofessional course where the following themes became evident: lateral thinking, challenging misconceptions, enhancing teamwork opportunities, and professional networks and confidence. Funding should be made available to extend interprofessional education to a wide range of professionals who care for patients with advanced disease and their families.

Does palliative care education matter to medical students? The experience of attending an undergraduate course in palliative care

“…Medical students’ acceptance of PC education has been explored in pilot studies 4 19 20. Encouraging experiences that promote the value of caring for dying people has been shown through reflective writings (‘I will never forget’)21 and semistructured interviews (‘It's not all doom and gloom’) 22.…”

Effects of palliative care training program on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and experiences among student physiotherapists: A preliminary quasi-experimental study

“…Previous studies that evaluated effects of training in palliative care utilized the educational program as part of a curriculum development among other healthcare professionals like critical care medicine trainees,[7] medical residents,[8] post-graduates in palliative care program Master of Science graduates,[9] and physicians treating sickle cell disease,[10] Such evaluation of curricular content was proposed to be done using palliative education assessment tool (PEAT) developed by Meekin et al . [11] which was then applied on evaluating medical schools by Wood et al .…”

Constructing A Post-Graduate Palliative Care Curriculum: The Israeli National Palliative Care Training (Inpact) Experience

“…This approach to education is believed to facilitate greater collaboration among professions and ensure better use of resources (14). Other benefits of this approach include the fact that it promotes lateral thinking, challenges misconceptions, increases teamwork opportunities, enhances professional networks, and builds confidence (15). In the feedback sessions conducted at the end of each course, the multidisciplinary aspect was positively evaluated again and again.…”