South Shore's Palliative Care Education a Success
CANCER CARE N.S.--South Shore's Palliative Care Education a Success
Bridgewater 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.
One-hundred-thirty-nine health professionals from across South Shore Health 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.
The Palliative Care Front-Line Education Program 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 offer the three-day program.
"The response to the program has been overwhelming," said Alice Leverman, vice president community health, South Shore Health. "We have been pleased to work in partnership with Cancer Care Nova Scotia to provide this opportunity for front-line care providers to broaden and enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding of palliative care."
Laurie Silver, a dietitian with the South Shore Regional Hospital, helped plan and deliver the program in her district. She also completed the program and found the information practical. "Because the program is based on front-line people teaching front-line people, the learning is very real," she said. "It's hand-on information that you wouldn't necessarily learn in a school environment."
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.