[Needs of Continuing Education on Hospice and Palliative Care in China:A Questionnaire-based Survey]

Objective To analyzed the current situations and needs of the continuing education on hospice and palliative care (HPC) in China based on the response from trainees in the 2016 National Hospice and Palliative Medicine Training Program. Methods A questionnaire-based survey was performed among 141 trainees who attended the program held by Peking Union Medical College Hospital in 2016. The questionnaire items included the awareness and knowledge of HPC,learning Objective s,learning gains,and future plans. Results The trainees came from 19 provinces and municipalities. Their professions included doctors (66.0%),nurses (17.0%),physical therapists (1.4%),psychologists (5.0%),social workers (2.1%),volunteers (6.4%) and hospital managers (2.1%). Doctors'disciplines included geriatrics (56.0%),medical oncology (11.8%),and others (32.2%). Among these 141 participants,111 (78.7%) had not attended any HPC course before,134 (95.0%) were aware of HPC,and 131 (92.9%) needed help from others when providing care for terminally-ill patients. The median score for symptom control and communication skills among 141 trainees were 3.0(2.0,4.0) points and 1.0(0.0,2.0) points,respectively. The average score of the final examination involving case analysis and medical knowledge of symptom control was (59.1±18.0)scores (centesimal system). Finally,136 trainees (96.5%) were willing to receive further training on HPC. Conclusion It is important to do more HPC education and training among medical staff,so as to strengthen their knowledge and capability in symptom control,communication,and evaluation of death quality.