Training palliative care: a study of public and private institutions in Kenya.
BACKGROUND
Globally, life-threatening diseases are on the rise, indicating the need for palliative care, an approach of ensuring quality of life for the patient and his or her family. Education and training is one of the ways of ensuring staff competency in providing palliative care.


OBJECTIVE
This study sought to explore challenges faced by both public and private faith-based training institutions offering palliative care.


METHODS
This was a qualitative study in both public and private training institutions, which were selected randomly. Six institutions were selected for the study. One palliative care trainer in each institution was interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Information was recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis was done. Data were presented in the form of narration.


RESULTS
Many institutions had incorporated palliative care into their curricula. However, these institutions faced challenges, including few allocated hours and few members of staff trained in palliative care. Clinical area employees were not well equipped with knowledge on palliative care.


CONCLUSIONS
Challenges exist in both public and private institutions. Institutions should allow for more training hours in palliative care.
Department of Nursing, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri, Kenya.
Joyce
J
Cheptum
Kenya Methodist University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Siongei Viola
SV
Chemuttai
Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi.
Dennis
D
Nyambane
Moi University, School of Nursing, Eldoret, Kenya.
Dinah
D
Chelagat
D003479:Curriculum; D064946:Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing / Q000193:education*; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007630:Kenya; D013663:Teaching
Challenges; Clinical experience; Health care personnel; Palliative care; Training