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- Title
Continuing Professional Development for Volunteers Working in Palliative Care in a Tertiary Care Cancer Institute in India: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study of Educational Needs.
- Authors
Deodhar, Jayita Kedar; Muckaden, Mary Ann
- Abstract
Context: Training programs for volunteers prior to their working in palliative care are well-established in India. However, few studies report on continuing professional development programs for this group. Aims: To conduct a preliminary assessment of educational needs of volunteers working in palliative care for developing a structured formal continuing professional development program for this group. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Department of Palliative Medicine of a tertiary care cancer institute in India. Materials and Methods: Participant volunteers completed a questionnaire, noting previous training, years of experience, and a comprehensive list of topics for inclusion in this program, rated in order of importance according to them. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics for overall data and Chi-square tests for categorical variables for group comparisons were applied using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18. Results: Fourteen out of 17 volunteers completed the questionnaire, seven having 5-10-years experience in working in palliative care. A need for continuing professional development program was felt by all participants. Communication skills, more for children and elderly specific issues were given highest priority. Spiritual-existential aspects and self-care were rated lower in importance than psychological, physical, and social aspects in palliative care. More experienced volunteers (>5 years of experience) felt the need for self-care as a topic in the program than those with less (<5-years experience) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Understanding palliative care volunteers' educational needs is essential for developing a structured formal continuing professional development program and should include self-care as a significant component.
- Subjects
INDIA; CANCER treatment; CHI-squared test; CONTINUING education; NEEDS assessment; SCIENTIFIC observation; PALLIATIVE treatment; PROFESSIONAL employee training; QUESTIONNAIRES; VOLUNTEERS; SPECIALTY hospitals; CROSS-sectional method; DATA analysis software; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; PSYCHOLOGY
- Publication
Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 2015, Vol 21, Issue 2, p158
- ISSN
0973-1075
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.4103/0973-1075.156475