Evaluation of a pediatric palliative care educational workshop for oncology fellows.
BACKGROUND
Recent efforts have focused on improving pediatric palliative care to relieve physical and psychological suffering throughout the course of illness, as well as to improve care at the end-of-life (EOL). One area of attention has been medical training, as healthcare providers have often reported feeling ill-equipped to manage EOL issues. As a pilot study, we developed and evaluated a daylong educational workshop on pediatric palliative care for oncology fellows.


METHODS
Fellows (N = 32) from 20 hospitals participated in one of two workshops covering palliative care topics, such as pain/symptom management, communication, ethics, and bereavement. Training, knowledge, behavior, and attitudes regarding pediatric palliative care were assessed before the workshop, and knowledge was re-assessed immediately afterwards.


RESULTS
Fellows reported a general lack of training in EOL care, and only 41% rated their education as at least "somewhat" adequate. Colleagues and personal experience were more often sources on EOL care, rather than formal classes or textbooks. Although fellows reported open attitudes toward palliative care, such as involving adolescents in decision-making, only half felt comfortable in the presence of a dying person. Fewer than half felt comfortable providing EOL care, managing families' expectations, or knowledgeable enough to discuss hospice with patients/families. Following the workshop, knowledge of palliative care increased significantly from 75 to 85% correct.


CONCLUSIONS
Fellows reported open beliefs about palliative care, but acknowledged weaknesses in their training and level of competence. The workshop showed efficacy in improving knowledge, but additional research is needed to evaluate larger educational initiatives and their long-term impact on clinical services and family satisfaction.
Baughcum
Amy E
AE
Center for Biobehavioral Health, Columbus Children's Research Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Gerhardt
Cynthia A
CA
Young-Saleme
Tammi
T
Stefanik
Regina
R
Klopfenstein
Kathryn J
KJ
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003144:Communication Barriers; D019468:Disease Management; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006405:Hematology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D009820:Ohio; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology