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- Title
Palliative care education in an Australian undergraduate pharmacy curriculum: an exploratory descriptive study.
- Authors
Ong, Jennifer A; Rego, Joanna; Ung, Tina; Kumar, Shweta; Ash, Kylie; Saini, Bandana; Yates, Patsy
- Abstract
Objectives: To examine the self-perceived knowledge, confidence and preparedness of undergraduate pharmacy students to provide palliative care. Methods: A descriptive exploratory analysis was conducted in 2021 at an Australian university involving final-year pharmacy students (n = 200) who were provided with the opportunity to complete a survey on self-perceived knowledge, confidence and preparedness overall and with respect to a range of graduate capabilities which are essential to provide care in palliative care settings. Key capability areas include: communication, showing empathy, making clinical judgements and self-reflection. This was measured using the Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates Questionnaire which was distributed electronically. Descriptive statistics were undertaken and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to explore any differences in outcomes with respect to factors related to demographics, personal experience and education. Thematic analysis was utilised for qualitative data. Key findings: Forty-five percent of the student cohort (n = 89) responded, 70% of whom were female, and the median age for students was 22 years. Median scores (interquartile range) were modest for overall self-perceived knowledge: 5.0 (3.0–5.0), confidence: 4.0 (3.0–5.0) and preparedness: 4.0 (2.5–5.0). Students who had participated in learning about palliative care through clinical placements (n = 25, 28%), self-directed learning activities (n = 18, 20%) or case-/problem-based learning (n = 14, 16%) demonstrated a statistically significant increase in overall preparedness (P = 0.017), confidence with specific capabilities including evidence-based practice (P = 0.013), responding to medication queries (P < 0.05) and managing symptoms other than pain (P = 0.018). Conclusions: Findings suggest students were confident to manage symptoms and medication-related issues but less confident to address distress or discuss sensitive matters with patients and their families. There may be a need for greater exposure and practical experience in palliative care settings.
- Subjects
AUSTRALIA; RESEARCH; CONFIDENCE; EMPATHY; PHARMACY education; SELF-perception; RESEARCH methodology; CURRICULUM; MANN Whitney U Test; UNDERGRADUATES; SURVEYS; QUALITATIVE research; COMMUNICATION; QUESTIONNAIRES; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; THEMATIC analysis; PALLIATIVE treatment; REFLECTION (Philosophy); MEDICAL logic; LONGITUDINAL method
- Publication
International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 2023, Vol 31, Issue 2, p218
- ISSN
0961-7671
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/ijpp/riac093