Pictou County's Palliative Care Education a Success
CANCER CARE N.S.--Pictou County's Palliative Care Education a Success
Pictou County area residents are receiving improved palliative care services from better trained health-care workers thanks to Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Palliative Care Front-Line Education Program, says an evaluation released today, March 31.
Eighty-four health professionals from across Pictou County completed an evaluation after taking the three-day program. All feedback was positive. The evaluation indicates that the program content was appropriate, meaningful and applicable to the daily work of health-care providers. Through pre- and post-testing, participants demonstrated both an increase in and retention of knowledge.
"Palliative and supportive care is an essential component of a high-quality cancer system," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "The Palliative Care Front-Line Education Program has significantly increased the level of palliative care expertise available to Nova Scotia cancer patients and their families. It is providing health professionals with the knowledge they need to more skilfully manage the unique needs of their patients."
By covering such topics as pain management, spiritual and cultural considerations, and grief and bereavement, the Palliative Care Front-Line Education Program addresses the physical, emotional, social and spiritual impacts of dealing with a life-threatening illness. It is designed to provide front-line health-care workers with the education they need to deliver high- quality palliative care.
"This initiative helps build confidence among health professionals throughout the province -- and patients ultimately benefit from their enhanced knowledge," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac.
Palliative Care Front-Line Education encourages collaboration and the development of community partnerships by incorporating an interprofessional, team approach to education. To build on the program's success and further enhance the quality of palliative care services in Nova Scotia, Cancer Care Nova Scotia will provide continued support to districts that continue to regularly offer the three-day program.
"We have come to rely on continuing education to develop skills and improve service delivery," said Sheila Scaravelli, vice- president of patient care services for Pictou County Health Authority. "Staff who completed the Palliative Care Front-Line Education Program found the principles-based learning to be advantageous to their practice. The program is advancing interdisciplinary palliative care throughout our district and province."
Nancy Hanlon, a volunteer who completed the program last fall, said it was an excellent way to network with other palliative care providers in the district. "The program was an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences with other health professionals and volunteers in the community," she said. "Since completing the program, there is a greater awareness of the dedication of professionals and volunteers in the community who provide care for palliative care patients and their families. It was a comprehensive and helpful refresher for all of us."
The Palliative Care Front-Line Education Program was developed in response to a needs assessment and a Palliative Care Roundtable hosted by Cancer Care Nova Scotia. It was modelled after the Rural Palliative Home Care Project, a federal health transition project conducted in 1999 and 2000.
Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health-care system through prevention, screening, education and research.