Abstract

LASMARIAS, Cristina et al. Studying the training needs in palliative care of primary care teams. FEM (Ed. impresa) [online]. 2013, vol.16, n.3, pp.159-165. ISSN 2014-9840.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S2014-98322013000300007.

Introduction. The strategy in palliative care established in 2007 within the National Health Service was that it was necessary to develop continuous training programs specific for health-care professionals with the objective of providing appropriate care for patients with advanced illness and/or end-of-life status, together with their families. The study sought to assess the training needs in palliative care as perceived by the Catalan health-care professionals in primary care; and to suggest training objectives that can have a positive effect on the care of patients with advanced illness within the community. Patients and methods. The study was observational, descriptive and cross-sectional. The qualitative and quantitative methodology included: a) questionnaire involving team leaders in primary care to determine the needs and training priorities in palliative care and the viability of the training schemes; b) focus groups involving health-care professionals and experts in palliative care, and primary care workers, to identify similarities and differences (percieved by the professionals) in the requirements of palliative care training. Results. From the primary care teams sample (48.7% of total), we recorded 52% as having basic training, 15% as intermediate level, and 3% as advanced. The overall coverage was 70% of primary care professionals. The need for training in palliative care is explicitly acknowledged, as is the need for the training to be systematically developed within institutional programs. The requirements worth noting are: follow-up of symptoms, ease of communications, and optimisation of health-care coordination/provision. Conclusion. Other outstanding educational aspects to be necessary included, though not demanded, are: assessment skills, ethical dilemmas or advanced care planning.

Keywords : Education; Palliative care; Primary care; Training needs.

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