Abstract
The need for palliative care education remains vital to contribute to the quality of life of patients, both adults and children, with cancer in Africa. The number of patients with cancer continues to rise, and with them the burden of palliative care needs. Palliative care has been present in Africa for nearly four decades, and a number of services are developing in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, the needs of cancer patients remain a challenge. Education and training initiatives have developed throughout this time, using a combination of educational methods, including, more recently, e-learning initiatives.The role of international and national organisations in supporting education has been pivotal in developing models of education and training that are robust, sustainable, and affordable. Developing a material for education and professional development needs to continue in close collaboration with that already in production in order to optimise available resources. Seeking ways to evaluate programmes in terms of their impact on patient care remains an important part of programme delivery. This article reviews the current situation.
Highlights
The burden of cancer in Africa continues to increase
Survival rates are still affected by late detection, delay in seeking diagnosis, the lack of availability of technical support for diagnosis, lack of resource for treatment and the availability of palliative care [1, 2]
An evaluation carried out to look at International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN)’s e-learning programmes, alongside some taught training they have conducted in the region, showed that 80% of participants undertaking the e-learning programme and 90% of those studying by the face-to-face training, found it ‘very useful’ for their practice, with the difference being attributed to the fact that the face-to-face trainings were tailored to individual country situations, whereas the e-learning courses are broader. 72% noted a change in attitude towards children’s palliative care, 73.9% saying their knowledge had increased, 72.5% saying their skills had improved and 61% saying their clinical practice had changed since undertaking the course
Summary
The burden of cancer in Africa continues to increase. Survival rates are still affected by late detection, delay in seeking diagnosis, the lack of availability of technical support for diagnosis, lack of resource for treatment and the availability of palliative care [1, 2]. The African Palliative Care Association (APCA), formed in 2004, continues to be the leading organisation for Africa on advocacy and policy development and provides support for training and delivering services across the continent. Despite these strengthening foundations, there are still a number of challenges. As the international leader for children’s palliative care, ICPCN has provided training programmes on children’s palliative care across the region including in South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Swaziland, Zambia, and Sudan, amongst others, alongside their e-learning programme. This followed the first African Ministers of Health session in Johannesburg in September 2013 hosted by the South African Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Gwen Ramogkopa [60]
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