Survey of educators’ end-of-life care learning needs in a Canadian baccalaureate nursing programme

Abstract

Aim: To examine the potential need for faculty development in end-of-life care (EOLC) of theory and clinical educators in a collaborative bilingual undergraduate nursing programme in a Canadian university. Method: A purposive sample of 53 Anglophone and Francophone theory and clinical educators completed the Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing, the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale and an adapted Educators Educational Needs Questionnaire (Patterson et al, 1997). Results: Results indicated that educators held positive attitudes towards caring for dying patients and had modest knowledge levels. Participants identified personal educational needs, preferred learning formats, support and barriers to teaching EOLC and to their participation in continuing educational programmes. Strategies to enhance the teaching and learning of EOLC content in the theory and clinical context were suggested. Conclusion: Nurse educators require time, opportunities and relevant resources to develop the competencies required to support the theoretical and experiential learning of students in EOLC. Recommendations include a variety of approaches for faculty development initiatives, including face to face and virtual, which allow nurse educators to share expertise.