The outcomes of postgraduate palliative care education and training: assessment and comparison of nurses and physicians.

Marciniak, Kevin, Scherg, Alexandra, Paal, Piret, Mason, Stephen ORCID: 0000-0002-4020-6869 and Elsner, Frank (2023) The outcomes of postgraduate palliative care education and training: assessment and comparison of nurses and physicians. BMC palliative care, 22 (1). p. 94.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Within Germany, there is a heterogeneous range of training and continuing education in palliative care for different professional groups. The German Society for Palliative Medicine (DGP), together with the German Hospice and Palliative Care Association (DHPV), have defined quality requirements for postgraduate training in palliative care. These requirements include the evaluation of course structures and the assessment of outcomes.<h4>Aim</h4>To assess the 'learning gains' in palliative care nurses and physicians undertaking continuing education programmes, and evaluate the structures and processes. To identify if/how the continuing education programmes could be improved.<h4>Material and methods</h4>The development of Nurses' and Physicians' learning was determined using a retrospective self-assessment procedure. The evaluation was based on learning objectives developed in the DGP Education Working Group, using a six-point Likert scale for each item, and space for 'free-text' comments. Assessments were conducted after training.<h4>Results</h4>Five hundred twenty nine self-assessments were recorded (456 nurses / 73 physicians). An increase in learning is demonstrated in all areas (knowledge, skills, social and self-competence) for each profession. The greatest gain was in symptom control. However, there were significant differences in the extent of learning gains between nurses and physicians.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Analysis suggests current training results in improvements, but personal competences progress less than knowledge and skills. One way to improve this would be to introduce more interprofessional continuing education elements. Evaluation, as a basis for improving training concepts, is essential for continual development.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Palliative Care, Hospice Care, Retrospective Studies, Nurses, Physicians
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2024 11:12
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2024 11:12
DOI:	10.1186/s12904-023-01217-1
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-023-01217-1
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3178481