title: Continuing professional development for volunteers working in palliative care in a tertiary care cancer institute in India: a cross-sectional observational study of educational needs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Training programs for volunteers prior to their working in palliative care are well-established in India. However, few studies report on continuing professional development programs for this group.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a preliminary assessment of educational needs of volunteers working in palliative care for developing a structured formal continuing professional development program for this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Department of Palliative Medicine of a tertiary care cancer institute in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participant volunteers completed a questionnaire, noting previous training, years of experience, and a comprehensive list of topics for inclusion in this program, rated in order of importance according to them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics for overall data and Chi-square tests for categorical variables for group comparisons were applied using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen out of 17 volunteers completed the questionnaire, seven having 5-10-years experience in working in palliative care. A need for continuing professional development program was felt by all participants. Communication skills, more for children and elderly specific issues were given highest priority. Spiritual-existential aspects and self-care were rated lower in importance than psychological, physical, and social aspects in palliative care. More experienced volunteers (>5 years of experience) felt the need for self-care as a topic in the program than those with less (<5-years experience) (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding palliative care volunteers' educational needs is essential for developing a structured formal continuing professional development program and should include self-care as a significant component.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Jayita Kedar
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Deodhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Muckaden
keywords: Continuing professional development; Educational needs; Palliative care; Volunteers