A Qualitative Evaluation of a Palliative Care Education Program for Paramedics

Since 2011, extended care paramedics in South Australia have collaborated with palliative care services to deliver successful palliative and end of life care. However, a gap in paramedic training was identified with a growing number of patients opting for home palliation, prompting the development of a 2021 education program by the South Australian Ambulance Service in partnership with Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach, to equip paramedics with enhanced skills and resources for effective palliative care in the community. To qualitatively evaluate the effectiveness of the education program provided to paramedics by exploring their subjective experience in providing palliative care within the community following the education program. The study was guided by an interpretative phenomenological approach to understand the impact an education training in palliative care has had on the practices of paramedics in South Australia. A purposive sample of nine South Australian paramedics from rural and metropolitan areas participated. Four major themes were identified including: (1) benefits of the education program; (2) gaps in the education program; (3) responsibility for the education provision; and (4) suggestions for the improvement of the education program. Paramedics were integral to avoiding the transfer of palliative care patients to emergency departments. This was crucial for complying with a patient's wishes of not wanting to leave their own familiar surrounding at the end of their life. Palliative care education was shown to improve paramedic knowledge and skills. Specific knowledge gaps were highlighted by the participants to better manage palliative care patients in the community.