Last Aid Course-The Slovenian Experience

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Medical Education
• Sociology

Background:

• Public awareness of palliative care is crucial for improving end-of-life care and patient quality of life.
• The Last Aid course, developed internationally, aims to educate the public and hospice volunteers on palliative care and open dialogue about death and dying.
• The PO-LAST project facilitated the adaptation and implementation of the Last Aid course in Slovenia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess participant experiences and expectations of the Last Aid course in Slovenia.
• To gather insights for future adult education initiatives in palliative care.
• To contribute to reducing societal taboos surrounding death and dying.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among participants of the Last Aid course in Slovenia.
• Evaluation questionnaires were distributed to attendees of in-person and online course deliveries.
• Data from 250 returned questionnaires were analyzed by October 2020.

Main Results:

• The Last Aid course was delivered 30 times (21 in-person, 9 online) with 450 participants.
• The survey included 250 participants who completed evaluation questionnaires.
• The course engaged a diverse group of participants in terms of sex, age, and profession.

Conclusions:

• The Last Aid course effectively engages the public and volunteers in palliative care education.
• The findings provide valuable data for enhancing adult education on palliative care and addressing death-related taboos.
• Successful implementation in Slovenia demonstrates the course's adaptability and potential for broader application.