'A Rainbow of Learning Requirements - findings from a survey of health care professionals working at Irelands Children's Hospice'

The emergence of children’s palliative care (CPC) as a new specialty in its own right has a fundamental effect on societal and professional expectations placed on staff. The aim of this presentation is to share the... [ view full abstract ]

The emergence of children’s palliative care (CPC) as a new specialty in its own right has a fundamental effect on societal and professional expectations placed on staff. The aim of this presentation is to share the findings from a Clinical Learning Needs Survey conducted at LauraLynn, Ireland’s children’s Hospice. Recommendations from the 2010 Irish policy “Palliative Care for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions – a National Policy” (Department of Health & Children) noted the lack of educational programmes available to provide health professionals with the specific knowledge, skill and competencies required to care for children with life-limiting conditions. The Centre for Nurse Education at Our Lady’s Hospital for Children runs two level 5 programmes and LauraLynn Hospice coordinates a selection of workshops and skills training. Currently, the only evolving level 9 programme is run by the national University of Ireland, Galway. The challenges of ensuring the preparedness of staff to deliver care for these children is discussed in the international literature (Pelant et al 2012, Hain 2010, Browning et al 2005). However, research suggests that there are few international models of CPC education (EAPC 2014). In the absence of significant international initiatives relating to education provision in this area, this survey sought to identify the learning needs of a variety of healthcare staff working in a developing children’s hospice. Findings will identify learning priorities and inform content design for workshops within a new department.
This presentation provides an insight into the learning requirements of staff working within a new and developing paediatric palliative care organisation. Within the Irish context, the findings are unique and underpin the aspirations of a pioneering organisation to ensure that specific learning requirements are met if the specialty of children’s palliative cares is to continue its evolution.