Palliative care education in radiation oncology: current knowledge, skills and attitudes
OC-0256
Abstract
Palliative care education in radiation oncology: current knowledge, skills and attitudes
Authors: Yvette van der Linden1, Ellen de Nijs2, Simone Schoof2, Terry Wiersma3, Cindy Meun4
1LUMC, radiation oncology, Leiden, The Netherlands; 2LUMC, Centre of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden, The Netherlands; 3NKI, Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 4LUMC, Radiation Oncology, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Purpose or Objective
In 2021, within a national educational project, so-called Entrustable Professional Activities for Palliative Care (PC) were formulated to improve basic knowledge, skills and attitudes for all future medical specialists in the Netherlands. We assessed to what extent current residents in radiation oncology comply with these PC EPAs and how to improve their education on PC.
Material and Methods
In September 2021, all residents of the eight Dutch academic teaching hospitals received an electronic survey including five existing questionnaires about their knowledge, skills and attitudes on PC, and on their current education on specific PC topics. In a focus group, six residents discussed how to improve their PC education.
Results
Of the 85 residents, 57 responded (67%); 64% was female, 35% had not received any special PC education. Residents were mostly taught on the physical dimension (59%) and working interdisciplinary (41%). They were least taught on spiritual or ethical dimensions (both 9%) and care options outside the hospital (25%) (table 1). Most residents were satisfied with their communication skills (81%) and knowledge of working interdisciplinary (93%). They had least knowledge on care for the family (23%), bereavement (15%) and existential aspects (25%). Although only 9% had had any education about end-of-life-care issues, 69% felt comfortable communicating about such topics with patients. In the focus group, residents mentioned that end-of-live-care was rarely part of the daily work as radiation oncologist. They suggested education to be more in line with daily problems by discussing case-studies and ethical issues. An internship within a hospital’s Palliative Care Consultation Team might also contribute.
Conclusion
The current palliative care education for residents in radiation oncology in the Netherlands lacks psychosocial, spiritual, and ethical topics. In addition, more case studies should be discussed. Hospitals Palliative Care Consultation Teams could provide internships to enlarge the knowledge and skills of residents in radiation oncology with a focus on 'training on the job'.