Palliative Care Training Gaps Remain in Chronic Disease Management Post-COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Respiratory Therapy
• Medical Education

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic increased demand and complexity in specialist palliative care.
• There was an unprecedented need for supportive respiratory therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess training needs of palliative care clinicians post-pandemic.
• To understand ongoing models of care for chronic disease and respiratory therapies.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods study involving 71 specialist palliative care physicians and nurses in Australia.
• Online surveys and structured interviews were used to gather data on training, care delivery, and barriers.
• Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on survey and interview data.

Main Results:

• Most clinicians lacked specific training in chronic disease management (21-30%) and respiratory therapies (24-42%).
• Significant training gaps exist in managing daily demands and specific respiratory skills.
• Post-pandemic challenges include care delivery issues, lack of chronic disease management pathways, and patient misconceptions.

Conclusions:

• Palliative care clinicians require more specific training to manage diverse chronic conditions and respiratory needs.
• Future efforts must focus on enhancing workforce training and adapting care models to meet rising demands.