Sharing COMFORT Communication Training With Healthcare Professionals in Nairobi, Kenya: A Pilot Webinar Series

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912110266
Author(s):  
Elaine Wittenberg ◽  
Regina Ogechi Alabere ◽  
Emeline Beltran ◽  
Joy V. Goldsmith ◽  
Shabnam Moledina
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Curriculum Evaluation ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Educational Training ◽  
Family Culture ◽  
Global Pandemic

Background: Communication training for healthcare providers is evident in the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic, however training opportunities are not available in countries with limited resources. Objectives: To investigate perceived comfort in communication about end-of-life and palliative care among healthcare providers in Nairobi, Kenya and to evaluate a pilot webinar-based communication training series. Methods: Through a partnership with a research hospital in Nairobi, healthcare providers engaged an online survey to assess perceived comfort in communication and prior educational training in communication. The COMFORT communication model was used to develop and pilot a webinar-based communication training series to meet training needs. Pre-post measures of comfort in communication and post-curriculum evaluation were used to evaluate the webinars. Results: Survey findings from 94 healthcare providers demonstrated that communication training is most needed when patient/family culture is different from provider. Physicians reported less comfort in communication than nurses and other professionals, especially in communication with family about spiritual or religious concerns. Nurses reported more overall training in palliative care communication topics than physicians and other disciplines. The 3-part webinar series increased communication comfort for physicians and nurses, was highly rated, and participants reported that they would recommend COMFORT webinar training to colleagues. Conclusion: Webinar-based platforms for communication training show promise for meeting communication training needs of healthcare providers.

scholarly journals Interprofessional Communication Team for Caregivers of Patients Hospitalized in the COVID-19 Wards: Results From an Italian Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Carletto ◽  
Michele Corezzi ◽  
Maria Francesca Furmenti ◽  
Elena Olivero ◽  
Paola Rapicavoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Interprofessional Communication ◽  
Italian Experience ◽  
Distress Level ◽  
Additional Support

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency restrictions did not allow clinician family meetings and relatives' visits. In Molinette Hospital, a new communication model between healthcare providers and families of COVID-19 affected patients was developed by a team of physicians and psychologists. The study's aims were to investigate caregivers' distress and to analyse their satisfaction with the communications provided.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers of patients of Molinette Hospital COVID wards. Between April and June 2020, all caregivers were contacted 2 weeks after the patient's discharge/death to assess their satisfaction with the communications received through an online survey.Results: A total of 155 caregivers completed the survey. Caregivers' distress level was found to be higher in women than men (p = 0.048) and in caregivers whose relative died compared to the caregivers whose relative was discharged (p < 0.001). More than 85% of caregivers defined communication “excellent”/“very good”; being male was associated with higher satisfaction levels than women (β = −0.165, p = 0.046). Besides daily communication, 63 caregivers (40.6%) received additional support from a psychologist of the team.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study presenting, in an emergency, a new model of communication provided by a team of physicians and psychologists, and analyzing satisfaction with it. This model was highly appreciated by caregivers and it limited the discomfort caused by the restrictions on relatives' visits. It would be interesting to further evaluate the possibility of extending a communication model that includes doctors and psychologists in routine clinical practice.

scholarly journals Experiences of LGBT Patients and Families With Hospice and Palliative Care: Perspectives of the Palliative Care Team

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 67-67
Author(s):  
Cathy Berkman ◽  
Gary Stein
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Lgbt Community ◽  
Hospice And Palliative Care

Abstract The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community experiences discrimination and stigma in accessing health care and social services – including palliative, hospice, and long-term care. Healthcare providers not recognize or address disparities in care. Providers and institutions may be uncomfortable with sexual orientation and gender identity and expression issues, and often don’t inquire about these. LGBT patients fear being open about their identities, not receiving equal or safe treatment, and having their family of choice and designated surrogates disrespected or ignored by healthcare staff. This study examines the degree to which hospice and palliative care providers report inadequate, disrespectful, or abusive care to LGBT patients and family members. A cross-sectional study using an online survey was completed by 865 providers, including social workers, physicians, nurses, and chaplains. Among respondents, 55% reported that LGB patients were more likely than non-LGB patients to experience discrimination at their institution; 24% observed discriminatory care; 65% reported that transgender patients were more likely than non-transgender patients to experience discrimination; 20% observed discrimination to transgender patients; 14% observed the spouse/partner of LGBT patients having their treatment decisions disregarded or minimized; and 13% observed the spouse/partner being treated disrespectfully. Qualitative data are presented to illustrate discomfort with LGBT patients and spouses/partners, disrespectful care, gossip and ridicule, inadequate care, and denial of care. Implications and suggestions for implementing non-discriminatory and respectful institutional and public policy, and for staff education and training to provide competent and respectiful care to this population are presented.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF PALLIATIVE CARE TRAINING NEEDS FOR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S296-S296
Author(s):  
Jinsook Kim ◽  
Jennifer A Gray
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Advance Directives ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Certified Nursing Assistants ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Care Training

Abstract It is unknown whether certified nursing assistants (CNAs) receive up-to-date palliative care training through continuing education. Also unclear is whether existing trainings cover the issues that CNAs encounter at work or are tailored to CNAs’ learning styles and preferences. This study aimed to assess the palliative care training needs of CNAs working at skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in northern Illinois. CNAs (n=127) from 6 SNFs completed an online survey regarding palliative care training experience, perceived needs for palliative care training, and demographic and work-related information. The majority of the participants were female (88%) and White (58%) or African American (20%). On average, participants were 34 years old and worked for 8 years in the field. Four out of five preferred a training 90 minutes or shorter. Approximately one half preferred in-person training, and the rest preferred a hybrid (32%) or online delivery (19%). Discussions and videos were most preferred in training, while quizzes and mobile apps were least preferred. CNAs who worked longer in the field were less likely to have received training than their counterparts. The least-trained areas included utilizing advance directives and discussing death with patients. The most needed training areas were talking to a patient who wants to hasten death and addressing the complex needs of dying patients. The results indicate a relative deficiency of palliative care training among CNAs who have worked longer in the field. Training areas needing more attention include advance directives, discussing death with patients, and the complex needs of dying patients.

scholarly journals Availability and accessibility of opioids for pain and palliative care in Colombia: a survey study

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Ximena León ◽  
Miguel Antonio Sánchez-Cárdenas ◽  
Luisa Fernanda Rodríguez-Campos ◽  
Jairo Moyano ◽  
Andrés López Velasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Health Insurance Companies

Introduction: Access to essential medicines, including opioids, is a component of the right to health. Objective: To identify barriers to opioid availability and accessibility for pain and palliative care. Methods: Online survey with Colombian prescribers. Availability barriers were analyzed for each facility (distribution and/or dispensing). Accessibility barriers were analyzed by type. Descriptive analyses were conducted using relative frequencies. Significance within categories and regions was measured using Fisher's exact test. Results: Out of 1,208 prescribers invited, 806 (66.7%) completed the survey. Availability: 76.43% reported barriers. The most cited barrier was “Pharmacies authorized by health insurance companies”, where opioids are frequently unavailable. Accessibility: 74.6% reported barriers. Most frequently cited was “Difficulty securing payment authorization for medication from health insurance companies”. Significant differences were observed in terms of regions and “Cost” (p=0.02). Lack of coordination among procuring and distributing agencies affects availability. Limited awareness and bureaucratic procedures affect accessibility. Conclusions: There are barriers to opioid availability and access in Colombia, related to the existing structure for guaranteeing equitable supply. From the perspective of healthcare providers, problems related to pharmacy availability, prescription and cost of medicines hinder pain treatment.

scholarly journals Health Communication needs of health professionals in Europe – the H-COM cross sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Zota ◽  
P Karnaki ◽  
A Veloudaki ◽  
T Tsiampalis ◽  
A Linos
Keyword(s):  
Health Communication ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Communication Needs

Abstract Background Effective communication between Health Professionals (HP) and patients is crucial for the overall functioning of the healthcare system with positive impacts on readmission rates, treatment outcomes, adherence and costs. However, health communication training is limited especially during medical training. In the framework of the EU H-COM project an exploration of health communication needs and gaps and preferred training methods was performed among HP. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 702 health professionals (Physicians: n = 315; Nurses: n = 258; Other: n = 129) through a purpose made questionnaire available in English, Greek, Polish, Spanish and German. Results Health communication training is considered necessary for physicians (89.8%) and nurses (89.7%), although 42.4% of them never received relevant training in the past. Professional status (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.079), gender (p = 0.090) and years of experience (p = 0.012) affected the likelihood of not having received such training, with physicians, HPs aged 45-54 years old, males and those having 6-10 years of experience being most in need. At least 50.0% reported encountering problems in communicating with their patients and facing several barriers either in primary health care settings and hospitals or in private practice. The ability to listen and answer patients, deliver bad news and obtain medical history were the most important communication skills identified, while the most suitable training method was learning relevant practical skills. The availability of such trainings is reported as being fair or poor at all educational levels by the majority. Conclusions Health communication training is considered important although currently not available to the extent needed. This research provides evidence concerning the preferred type, frequency and mode of health communication training providing also insight on differences between various HPs. Key messages Health communication training is crucial but inadequate in Europe. There are specific training needs and preferences among HP which need to be considered. Health communication training needs to be adapted and tailored to professionals’ age, experience and status.

scholarly journals Reluctance to Accept Palliative Care and Recommendations for Improvement: Findings From Semi-Structured Interviews With Patients and Caregivers

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912110126
Author(s):  
Valeria Cardenas ◽  
Anna Rahman ◽  
Yujun Zhu ◽  
Susan Enguidanos
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Palliative Care Services

Background: Despite some insurance plans now paying for home-based palliative care, recent reports have suggested that insurance coverage for palliative care may be insufficient in expanding patient access to home-based palliative care. Aim: To identify patients’ and caregivers’ perceived barriers to home-based palliative care and their recommendations for overcoming these barriers. Design: We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews. Our interview protocol elicited participants’ perspectives on home-based palliative care services; positive and negative aspects of the palliative program explanation; and suggestions for improving messaging around home-based palliative care. Setting/Participants: Twenty-five participants (patients, proxies, and their caregivers) who were eligible for a randomized controlled trial of home-based palliative care were interviewed by telephone. Results: Themes related to home-based palliative care referral barriers included reluctance to have home visits, enrollment timing, lack of palliative care knowledge, misconceptions about palliative care, and patients’ self-perceived health condition. Themes related to recommendations for overcoming these obstacles included ensuring that palliative care referrals come from healthcare providers or insurance companies and presenting palliative care services more clearly. Conclusion: Findings reinforce the need for additional palliative care education among patients with serious illness (and their caregivers) and the importance of delivering palliative care information and referrals from trusted sources.

scholarly journals Burnout Determinants among Nurses Working in Palliative Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3358
Author(s):  
José Vítor Gonçalves ◽  
Luísa Castro ◽  
Guilhermina Rêgo ◽  
Rui Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Perceived Health Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
National Network ◽  
Work Related ◽  
High Level

Nurses working in palliative care are at risk of burnout. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to determine burnout levels of nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. We evaluated the contribution of personal, work, and COVID-19 variables in three burnout subclasses: personal, work, and patient-related. A cross-sectional, exploratory, and quantitative design was employed and participants were sampled using convenience and snowball technique. An online survey was conducted and 153 nurses participated in our study. Socio-demographic characterization was conducted, levels of burnout and determinants were explored through multiple linear regression models for its three dimensions. High levels of personal, working, and patient burnout were present in 71 (46%), 68 (44%), and 33 nurses (22%), respectively. Most of them agreed that COVID-19 had an impact on their activities. Significant personal and work related burnout factors found were specialization in palliative care, self-perceived health status, unit type, weekly hours of work, and allocation to COVID-19 units. Gender was found to be a significant factor in patient-related burnout. There is a high level of burnout among nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. Measures for identification and mitigation of burnout are necessary to protect health care professionals.

scholarly journals Experiences and impact of international medical volunteering: a multi-country mixed methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e041599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary McCauley ◽  
Joanna Raven ◽  
Nynke van den Broek
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Medical Volunteers ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess the experience and impact of medical volunteers who facilitated training workshops for healthcare providers in maternal and newborn emergency care in 13 countries.SettingsBangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, UK and Zimbabwe.ParticipantsMedical volunteers from the UK (n=162) and from low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) (n=138).Outcome measuresExpectations, experience, views, personal and professional impact of the experience of volunteering on medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC.ResultsUK-based medical volunteers (n=38) were interviewed using focus group discussions (n=12) and key informant interviews (n=26). 262 volunteers (UK-based n=124 (47.3%), and LMIC-based n=138 (52.7%)) responded to the online survey (62% response rate), covering 506 volunteering episodes. UK-based medical volunteers were motivated by altruism, and perceived volunteering as a valuable opportunity to develop their skills in leadership, teaching and communication, skills reported to be transferable to their home workplace. Medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC (n=244) reported increased confidence (98%, n=239); improved teamwork (95%, n=232); strengthened leadership skills (90%, n=220); and reported that volunteering had a positive impact for the host country (96%, n=234) and healthcare providers trained (99%, n=241); formed sustainable partnerships (97%, n=237); promoted multidisciplinary team working (98%, n=239); and was a good use of resources (98%, n=239). Medical volunteers based in LMIC reported higher satisfaction scores than those from the UK with regards to impact on personal and professional development.ConclusionHealthcare providers from the UK and LMIC are highly motivated to volunteer to increase local healthcare providers’ knowledge and skills in low-resource settings. Further research is necessary to understand the experiences of local partners and communities regarding how the impact of international medical volunteering can be mutually beneficial and sustainable with measurable outcomes.

scholarly journals The effect of risk communication on preventive and protective Behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak: mediating role of risk perception

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽  
Leila Zarei ◽  
Ahmad Kalateh Sadati ◽  
Najmeh Moradi ◽  
Maryam Akbari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
And Control ◽  
New Evidence

Abstract Background The COVID-19 outbreak is a global pandemic, during which the community preventive and protective behaviors play a crucial role in the containment and control of infection. This study was designed to contribute to the existing knowledge on how risk communication (RC) and risk perception (RP) affect protective and preventive behaviors (PPB) during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods The required data were extracted from a national online survey of Iranian adults aged 15 and older during March 15–19, 2020 (n=3213). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. Results The study findings reveal that RC has direct and indirect positive effects on PB. Furthermore, this study also provides new evidence indicating that RP mediates the relationship between RC and PB and there is a two-way relationship between RC and RP. These interactions may have impact on risk communication strategies which should be adopted during this pandemic. Conclusion The study findings have remarkable implications for informing future communications as well as interventions during this ongoing outbreak and subsequent national risk events.

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