Effect of end-of-life care education on perceived self-efficacy of the pediatric respiratory therapist.

Abstract

End-of-life care (EoLC) is difficult for respiratory therapists (RTs), causing struggles with providing EoLC and grief during and after the death. The objective of the study was to determine if EoLC education can increase RTs' perception of knowledge of EoLC, respiratory therapy as a valuable EoLC service, comfort providing EoLC, and knowledge of ways to deal with grief. One hundred and thirty pediatric RTs completed a 1 h EoLC education session. Afterwards, a single-centre descriptive survey was administered to the 60 volunteers out of the 130 attendees. To determine RTs' self-rated change in knowledge of EoLC, perception of respiratory therapy as a valuable EoLC service, comfort with EoLC, and knowledge of ways to cope with grief. Statistical analysis included percent change. Overall, 96% of surveyed RTs agree they had an increase in knowledge, perception of RT services, comfort with providing care, and coping. Only 4% felt that this course had little benefit overall but still perceived value in RT EoLC and increased knowledge of long- and short-term ways to deal with grief. Education on EoLC practices increased pediatric RTs' perception of knowledge, perceived value of respiratory therapy in EoLC, comfort with EoLC, and knowledge of coping resources.