Necessary but not yet sufficient: a survey of aged residential care staff perceptions of palliative care communication, education and delivery.
OBJECTIVE
Previous research has indicated that staff in aged residential care (ARC) may be unprepared for their role in palliative care provision. The need for palliative care knowledge among ARC staff has been characterised as 'pervasive'. Determining the palliative care education, communication and support needs of ARC clinical care staff is, therefore, of critical importance to the delivery of quality healthcare in this setting.


METHODS
A survey of clinical staff (n=431) in 52 ARC facilities in 1 urban district health board was conducted, using a paper-based questionnaire. Instruments included the 3-item Experiences with End of Life scale, developed measures of communication and support (13 items), support accessibility (12 items), and palliative care education (19 items).


RESULTS
Only 199 (46.2%) of staff participants reported undertaking palliative care education. Nurses were more likely to have engaged in palliative care education in comparison with healthcare assistants (HCAs) (χ2(1, N=387)=18.10, p=0.00). Participants (n=347) who wanted further education preferred an interactive, hands-on applied education (13.9%) in comparison to short topic-specific sessions/seminars (6.5%) or lecture-based courses (7.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
The study reveals an ongoing need for staff palliative care education. Results suggest the development of an integrated model of care which draws on both hospice and ARC staff expertise.
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Rosemary
R
Frey
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Michal
M
Boyd
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Sue
S
Foster
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Jackie
J
Robinson
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Merryn
M
Gott
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009520:New Zealand; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
Communication; Education and training; Nursing Home care; Quality of life; Terminal care