Development and evaluation of an international, interdisciplinary palliative care workshop in Botswana.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports the development and evaluation of an interdisciplinary, international palliative care workshop presented in Gaborone, Botswana.


METHODS
A 5-day workshop was held in June 2009 at the University of Botswana. Clinicians, faculty, and students from throughout Botswana were invited to attend at no cost. Participants included nurses, social workers, physicians, pharmacists, chaplains and volunteers. Learning activities included lectures, case studies, and group discussion.


RESULTS
Evaluation indicated high satisfaction with the workshop and significant, though modest, gains in knowledge and self-evaluation of palliative care skills. Discussion revealed important clinical issues for attendees and underscored the need to coordinate national efforts to enhance palliative care in Botswana.


CONCLUSIONS
The international collaborative palliative care workshop increased the knowledge and commitment of attendees. Additional collaborative efforts to educate providers, coordinate care, and change policies and practices are needed to integrate palliative care fully into health care in Botswana.
Ersek
Mary
M
John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence and Center for Integrative Science in Ageing, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, USA. ersekm@nursing.upenn.edu
Sebego
Miriam
M
Bloom
Alicia Marini
AM
Shaibu
Sheila
S
McMenamin
Erin
E
Mokotedi
Mosidi
M
D001902:Botswana; D003479:Curriculum; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010166:Palliative Care; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013727:Terminal Care