Multiprofessional palliative care in a general hospital: education and training needs

Abstract

Palliative care for those who need it should be an integral part of National Health Service (NHS) practice in all settings in the UK. This study used a focus group and individual structured questionnaires, completed during a semi-structured interview, to gain an insight into how different professionals in the hospital view palliative care. An assessment was made of their understanding of it, previous training and current knowledge. The respondents also discussed training needs and personal experiences. The findings show that previous training was variable but in general, relatively young and inexperienced staff were working in the hospital under enormous pressures of workload, staff shortages and without experienced role models from whom to learn the complexities of palliative care. Communication difficulties focused around the lack of support and the inherent problems of multidisciplinary teamworking resulting in frustration and less than optimum care being given. Rapid staff turnover compounded the problems. Although staff were keen to learn, clinical workload always took priority over training. The following recommendations arose from the study: undergraduate training should be standardized, and postgraduate training and support should be ongoing and flexible to accommodate the diversities of knowledge and difficulties encountered in attending set sessions.