Developing a Palliative Care Competency Framework for Health Professionals and Volunteers: The Nova Scotian...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Palliative Care
• Competency-Based Frameworks

Background:

• Nova Scotia launched a provincial palliative care strategy in 2014.
• A working group was tasked with selecting palliative care education programs.
• Establishing core competencies was the initial step for health professionals and volunteers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a palliative care competency framework for Nova Scotia.
• To guide the selection and implementation of educational programs for palliative care providers.
• To enhance interprofessional practice in palliative care.

Main Methods:

• A literature search for palliative care competencies was conducted in 2015.
• The Irish Palliative Care Competence Framework was adapted as the foundation.
• Stakeholder validation and iterative refinement were used to finalize the framework.

Main Results:

• The Nova Scotia Palliative Care Competency Framework was established.
• The framework details competencies for 22 disciplines, 9 nursing specialties, and 4 physician specialties.
• The framework was released in 2017 after extensive review.

Conclusions:

• The framework supports the Nova Scotia Integrated Palliative Care Strategy.
• It aims to enhance the interprofessional nature of palliative care.
• The framework is expected to guide future education program implementation and has garnered external interest.