Ongoing Value and Practice Improvement Outcomes from Pediatric Palliative Care Education: The Quality of Care Collaborative Australia

Abstract

Purpose: Novice and experienced professionals who care for children with life limiting conditions throughout Australia were provided with pediatric palliative care (PPC) education through the Quality of Care Collaborative Australia (QuoCCA). Impact evaluation has shown this education to be beneficial. This study examines the longer term outcomes reported by the participants more than 4 months following education. Methods: An online survey measuring quantitative and qualitative education outcomes was sent to all participants of QuoCCA 2 education throughout Australia, at least 4 months following their education. There were 152 respondents between February 2018 and June 2020. Results: More than 4 months after the QuoCCA education, 98% of respondents rated it as extremely valuable or valuable and 78% of respondents rated it extremely or very helpful in improving clinical practice. Improvements in knowledge, skills or confidence were reported by 90% or more respondents in the areas of PPC referral, responding to psychosocial needs, the benefits of the PPC approach, PPC resources and communication skills. Between 84% and 89% of respondents reported improvements in advance care planning, assessment and intervention, responding to physical needs, supporting spiritual needs and supporting health professionals and self care. Providing bereavement care improved in 85% of responses. The most valuable aspects of the education, changes in practice and barriers to the implementation of learning were discussed. Conclusion:The interprofessional QuoCCA education in PPC continued to provide value and clinical practice improvements for the majority of respondents more than four months after the session. Respondents particularly mentioned improvements in awareness of the network of care, the practical management of patients and communication skills. Reflection on clinical practice, in a proactive clinical learning environment, enabled the translation of education into improvements to the quality of PPC.

Teaching about death and dying—A national mixed‐methods survey of palliative care education provision in Swedish undergraduate nursing programmes

“…Teaching about reflection within difficult areas was included in the nursing programmes, whether it was included in a specific course, an elective course, or implemented in other areas. This is in line with Slater et al (2021), who argue that reflection upon experiences could lead to improvements in both competences to provide PC [32]. Thus, reflection was both possible and at the same time difficult, as the lecturers described that the students found the area of EoL and PC to be emotional demanding.…”

Building capability in paediatric palliative care and enhancing education through the voice of parents: the Quality of Care Collaborative Australia

“…This partnership approach focuses attention on the experience and needs of the formal and informal network of care that families draw on within their local community. This study, which shares the stories and perspectives of parents, complements the previous evaluation of the impact of QuoCCA for professionals who participated in scheduled or pop-up education sessions 4 , 5 , 17 and demonstrates how the family voice can be included in QuoCCA education.…”

“…Integrating dedicated educator roles in SPPC services, as demonstrated through QuoCCA, builds capability for health and social care professionals, enables the development of inter-professional partnerships and encourages guidance from children and families. 4 , 5 , 17 …”

“…Integrating dedicated educator roles in SPPC services, as demonstrated through QuoCCA, builds capability for health and social care professionals, enables the development of inter-professional partnerships and encourages guidance from children and families. 4,5,17 Throughout the trajectory of care, parents experienced a chronic sorrow for the myriad of unanticipated life changes as a result of their child's health fragility and care needs. 18 Within this liminal space, parents attempted to remain in the present for fear of thinking ahead to life milestones their child may never achieve.…”

Education and Mentoring of Specialist Pediatric Palliative Care Medical and Nursing Trainees: The Quality of Care Collaborative Australia

“…QuoCCA evaluation has shown a significant increase in knowledge and confidence for all measures following education, increasing with greater dosages of education (both in length and repetition of exposure to education sessions), a result that has been sustained in the long term, with improvements to clinical practice and care of patients. 8 , 9 Statewide general health practitioners praise the value of QuoCCA in building capability through effective and accessible education, inter-professional partnerships in the network of care, as well as mentoring with ongoing collegial support and guidance. 10 Families have expressed their appreciation for this burgeoning network of care for their ongoing support, regardless of their residential location.…”