title: We are not alone: international learning for professionals caring for children requiring palliative care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Educational opportunities for professionals working with children requiring palliative care are central to future development within the specialty across countries. International educational initiatives involving a range of professionals are important for learning with and from others working within the field.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences and value to students from participating in an international online discussion forum.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article examines one such initiative; the use of an international asynchronous discussion forum with students in Melbourne, Australia and Belfast, UK who work with children and families. The innovation is examined and student perspectives of the forum's value are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students endorsed the value of the forum, identifying three main areas of learning: differences across locations within countries, respecting different views and being open, and need for continued learning within children's palliative care. The overarching theme 'we are not alone' supported the idea that participation in the international discussion forum enabled students to see a broader perspective. Ideas for future developments of similar forums are also explored.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor (Children's Nursing), Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston University and St George's, University London, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: Coordinator of Education, Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and University of Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Lecturer (Education, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McNeilly
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nurse Consultant, Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heywood
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D007858:Learning; D010166:Palliative Care
keywords: Asynchronous discussion forum; Children's palliative care; Continuing education; International; Interprofessional