Jenny Davis1, Amee Morgans2, Mairead Dunne3. 1. College of Science Health & Engineering, School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3082, Australia. 2. Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. 3. Monash Medical Centre, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
Background: National guidelines and resources to support a palliative approach in residential aged care were designed to improve the provision of palliative and end-of-life care; however, implementation has been sporadic.Objective: To support implementation of a palliative approach in aged care using a facilitation training model and existing palliative approach toolkit resources. Methods: Organisation-wide educational intervention delivered by a specialised Palliative Approach Facilitator for 6 months. Training included palliative approach principles, advance care planning, clinical management, equipment use, case conferencing, care planning and self-care. Results: The intervention included 197 internal and external staff and reviewed advanced care plans for 484 clients. Increased staff knowledge and confidence with discussions involving advance care planning, end-of-life care and supporting bereaving families resulted. Conclusion: This targeted intervention addressed barriers to adoption of a palliative approach, representing a flexible training model for building workforce capacity, promoting quality improvement and sustaining best practice in aged care settings.
Background: National guidelines and resources to support a palliative approach in residential aged care were designed to improve the provision of palliative and end-of-life care; however, implementation has been sporadic.Objective: To support implementation of a palliative approach in aged care using a facilitation training model and existing palliative approach toolkit resources. Methods: Organisation-wide educational intervention delivered by a specialised Palliative Approach Facilitator for 6 months. Training included palliative approach principles, advance care planning, clinical management, equipment use, case conferencing, care planning and self-care. Results: The intervention included 197 internal and external staff and reviewed advanced care plans for 484 clients. Increased staff knowledge and confidence with discussions involving advance care planning, end-of-life care and supporting bereaving families resulted. Conclusion: This targeted intervention addressed barriers to adoption of a palliative approach, representing a flexible training model for building workforce capacity, promoting quality improvement and sustaining best practice in aged care settings.
Keywords:
advance care planning; aged; education; end of life; nursing; palliative approach; palliative care
Authors: Denise Cloutier; Kelli I Stajduhar; Della Roberts; Carren Dujela; Kaitlyn Roland Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2021-06-28 Impact factor: 2.655