Do Healthy People Engage With Education About Death, Dying and Advance Care Planning? An Early Evaluation of the Omega Course.

Abstract

Background: Death can be difficult to address personally, to discuss and to plan for. Since 2016 The Omega Course (Omega) has educated local people in Kenilworth, UK, about death and dying; broaching these issues and teaching communication skills whilst enabling social interaction. It aspires to produce practical outcomes with positive implications for end of life (EoL) planning and future neighbourhood care within the town. Aim: To investigate the impact of Omega on the attitudes and actions of participants. Method: Anonymous questionnaires, distributed by Qualtrics, or by post if preferred, were sent to 62 participants of Omega aged 22-94 two and a half years post course institution. Thematic analysis and inferential statistics were used. Results: 23 replies (37%) scored changes across 4 areas; barriers to discussion, ease discussing death, fears about death and future planning capability. All showed a significant beneficial change using a Paired Sample t-test (P< .01). Respondents noted common fears of death and dying, barriers to discussing the topic and planning for it. The course helped to allay fear, enabled discussion and encouraged planning for death and EoL. Respondents rated the course as 9.1/10 for achieving its aims. They appreciated discussing death and dying in a supportive environment and found the approach effective in developing their skills and changing attitudes. Conclusion: Omega has the potential to change attitudes towards death; promoting discussion, planning, and tackling misconceptions.