Effect of Online Palliative Care Training on Knowledge and Comfort

Abstract

Purpose: Current research supports favorable outcomes using online continuing education, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) report a lack of training in palliative care. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of online palliative care training on the knowledge and comfort level of medical SLPs.

Method: In the multiple baselines across participants (MBAP) method, ten medical SLPs completed online training modules provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). An electronic visual analog scale (eVAS) was used to collect knowledge and comfort ratings. Seven intervention modules were completed asynchronously with knowledge and comfort measured following each session. A follow-up phase was used to determine whether the gains were maintained for three weeks after the intervention.

Results: Nine of ten participants experienced statistically significant improvements in knowledge, which were maintained through the follow-up phase. Eight of ten participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in comfort, which were maintained through the follow-up phase.

Conclusions: To date, no other study has examined the effects of online palliative care training on medical SLPs. This investigation provides evidence that online, asynchronous continuing education for medical SLPs can improve their self-perceived knowledge and comfort in palliative care.