Abstract
BackgroundThis study evaluated the impact of the adapted version of the Respecting Choices® The Living Matters Advance Care Planning (ACP) facilitator training programme on trainees’ attitudes on facilitation 6 months post-training.Setting and participantsTwo hundred and twenty-one healthcare professionals consisting of doctors, nurses, medical social workers from different training venues in Singapore participated in the first phase of the study (pre- and post) of which 107 participated in the second phase 6 months later (follow-up).MethodsParticipants self-rated their attitudes, beliefs and behavioural intentions through surveys at three time points in an evaluation design that utilised repeated measures one-way ANOVA (pre-, post-, follow-up). Between-group differences were also examined using independent t-test.ResultsAt follow-up, mean scores increased significantly in understanding, confidence, and competence. Changes in effect sizes were large. Although trainees continued to think that ACP is emotionally draining for facilitators, more than before, facilitation experience was considered pleasant for themselves with the positive change significant and moderate in effect size. Those who had experience completing/initiating ACP significantly held more positive views than those who did not.ConclusionsThe ACP facilitator training programme had lasting effects on enhancing the understanding, competence, and confidence of trainees. Importantly, findings showed that experience in actual facilitation within 6 months after training was important and giving trainees opportunities to facilitate is recommended.
Highlights
This study evaluated the impact of the adapted version of the Respecting Choices® The Living Matters Advance Care Planning (ACP) facilitator training programme on trainees’ attitudes on facilitation 6 months post-training.Setting and participants: Two hundred and twenty-one healthcare professionals consisting of doctors, nurses, medical social workers from different training venues in Singapore participated in the first phase of the study of which 107 participated in the second phase 6 months later
Findings showed that experience in actual facilitation within 6 months after training was important and giving trainees opportunities to facilitate is recommended
Whilst patient or organisational-related factors may subsequently affect attitudes of ACP facilitators, of particular concern here is whether such subjective attitudes and beliefs of healthcare professionals are adequately addressed by ACP training programmes in the first place
Summary
This study evaluated the impact of the adapted version of the Respecting Choices® The Living Matters Advance Care Planning (ACP) facilitator training programme on trainees’ attitudes on facilitation 6 months post-training.Setting and participants: Two hundred and twenty-one healthcare professionals consisting of doctors, nurses, medical social workers from different training venues in Singapore participated in the first phase of the study (preand post) of which 107 participated in the second phase 6 months later (follow-up). ACP discussions do not occur as frequently as they should [3, 9] This is accounted for by the reluctance of patients and families to engage in such discussions, discomforts and concerns of physicians and other healthcare professionals over how patients will react, as well as beliefs or assumptions about the appropriateness of such discussions [10,11,12,13,14,15]. Respecting Choices®, an internationally recognised ACP programme based in the United States, has been adapted in twelve countries including Australia, Canada and Germany [16]. This programme was adapted for use in Singapore in 2012 and is currently known as The Living Matters ACP programme.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
