Translating Knowledge Into Clinical Practice: A Unique End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium Teleconferencing...

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Effective palliative care education requires ongoing learning and targeted interventions.
• Health care professionals need enhanced knowledge and networking opportunities to integrate palliative care principles.
• Existing educational formats may not fully support the dynamic needs of palliative care practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel, online, interactive, case-based educational offering for integrating palliative care principles.
• To assess the impact of teleconferences on knowledge, best practice incorporation, and clinical practice change.
• To foster networking and peer support among international palliative care professionals.

Main Methods:

• An online, interactive, case-based educational program was implemented over eight monthly teleconferences.
• Challenging clinical cases were discussed by palliative care professionals from nine countries.
• Participants engaged in discussions on theoretical information, best practices, and family/colleague approaches.

Main Results:

• The educational offering facilitated the integration of palliative care principles into clinical practice.
• Participants reported deepening theoretical knowledge and incorporating best practices.
• Peer discussions from diverse international settings were highly rated and emotionally uplifting.

Conclusions:

• This online, case-based educational model effectively enhances palliative care knowledge and practice.
• International collaboration through teleconferences positively impacts clinical decision-making and patient care.
• The program fostered a supportive learning environment, leading to reported changes in clinical practice.