title: Evaluation of a pilot study day for healthcare assistants and social care officers.
abstract: This report evaluates a pilot study day, which provided an introduction for healthcare assistants and social care officers into the causes, incidence and impact of symptoms encountered when providing palliative care for people with advanced disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate whether the study day facilitated an increase in confidence and knowledge in key areas of symptom control, the degree of satisfaction with the study day and whether participants were able to use information from the study day in practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in the evaluation process. Data were collected using satisfaction questionnaires, pre- and post-test questionnaires, and a telephone follow-up for self-selected participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a high degree of satisfaction with the study day. The results demonstrated statistically significant increases in both knowledge and confidence in helping to manage key symptoms encountered in palliative care patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All participants reported that the aims of the day were met and agreed that the topics were relevant to practice.
authors.affiliation: Marie Curie Cancer Care, Ashludie Hospital, Monifieth. helen.dryden@mariecurie.org.uk
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dryden
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Addicott
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002608:Charities; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000517:prevention & control; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom