302 The educational experiences and perceived educational needs of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals in advanced care planning: a focus group study

Abstract

Abstract Background Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is the process by which patients, their families and healthcare professionals discuss and document patient preferences regarding future healthcare decisions if an individual loses decision making capacity regarding their care. ACP has been shown to reduce hospitalisations, admission to the intensive care unit, and increase patient and family satisfaction with medical care. Despite the benefits of quality ACP, healthcare professionals continue to report inadequate training and knowledge in this area. Using multidisciplinary healthcare professional focus groups, we intended to gather descriptions from different disciplines about their educational experiences in ACP both formal and informal, and their perceived educational needs. Methods We used a qualitative focus group methodology consisting of six focus groups in total. Two focus groups of each discipline were carried out—medical, nursing, Health and Social Care Practitioners (HSCPs) working in an acute tertiary hospital. We sought to explore the differing perspectives of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals’ involvement with ACP, their educational experiences, unique educational needs, and how multidisciplinary learning could be supported. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the findings. Results There was familiarity of ACP among multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, and a consensus that varied disciplines could have a role in ACP. Participants described a lack of formal education in ACP, with skills developed through informal means primarily through experience and learning from more senior colleagues. Concerns regarding the legal aspects of ACP was commonly stated as an educational need, as were communication skills, and ACP frameworks. Time was a perceived barrier to education in ACP, as well as lack of resources. Conclusion With the enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making Act formal education in advanced care planning and advanced health care directives is essential. This education should be multidisciplinary and needs to consider the perceived educational needs of its intended learners.