All health professionals and professional care givers can positively influence the experience of their patients and families throughout the whole health journey, including at the end of life.
Better quality of care is provided when health care professionals are knowledgeable and equipped with the necessary skills.
There is currently a plethora of high quality, on-line Australian education programs, courses, resources and tools readily available regarding palliative care. Navigating through the large amount of available information to find an answer to a specific knowledge gap can be overwhelming.
In 2018, The West Moreton Region Care at the End of Life Collaborative identified a need to develop a regional framework in order to improve the knowledge and understanding of care at the end of life delivered by health professionals.
The project employed a Clinical Service Redesign methodology to ensure a systems approach.
Five-Step Framework Development: -
The Knowledge Framework was unique and useful as it was developed only after a need’s assessment process. Rather than assuming what the workforce needed to know more about, 23 semi- structured, hour long interviews were held with a broad range of health professionals. Essentially, we listened and responded accordingly.
The Framework is a user-friendly, clear guide to free, Australian education programs and resources available through CareSearch. Resources/tools are alphabetically listed, summarised with only relevant modules recommended which are linked to the six colour coded knowledge domains.
The Framework also includes regional specific resources but could be easily adapted.
‘Good symptom management and maintaining comfort’ was not ranked number one identified priority by any of the professional groups, as might be assumed.
Additionally, whilst individuals found The Framework very useful, they felt it would be more useful for their organisation to coordinate professional education.
The fit for purpose, highly responsive Knowledge Framework can be used as an individual reference resource or for organisations to develop an education program/strategy to upskill and support health professionals and professional care givers.
Funding - Darling Downs West Moreton Primary Health Network.