Goals of care conversation education program: An intervention to help health care professionals break bad news to patients with advanced illness

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to measure the effectiveness of communication skills intervention results for healthcare professionals. A multi-site pretest-posttest survey assessing the efficacy of a Goals of Care conversation education program. The program aimed to educate healthcare professionals concerning having Goals of Care conversations with patients and families. This research was implemented in a large healthcare organization in the Northeastern United States. This study found significant differences between pretests and posttests across professions, palliative care specialty, degree types, and years of experience in the participant’s self-reported ability and comfort levels in having conversations about Goals of Care with patients and families. Providing education on Goals of Care was effective in improving the knowledge and comfort of health care professionals with conducting advanced illness conversations.