Care Education Research Articles

Quality of life of children with cochlear implants in Saudi Arabia.

Quality of life of children with cochlear implants in Saudi Arabia.

Training Socially-Conscious Dentists: Development and Integration of Community Service-Learning in Dental Curricula in Ontario, Canada.

Training Socially-Conscious Dentists: Development and Integration of Community Service-Learning in Dental Curricula in Ontario, Canada.

Physician-patient communication and shared decision-making approaches in myeloproliferative neoplasm care.

e18589 Background: About 20,000 people are diagnosed with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) in the US each year, and almost 300,000 have the disease. Age, race, and gender can affect clinical outcomes. Although this condition is rare, the diverse patient population shows the need for a culturally sensitive approach to address gaps in communication regarding MPN care and the unique challenges that physicians face. The Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP) MPN initiative, developed by the Patient Empowerment Network, aims to improve physician-patient communication, shared decision-making, and the role of patients, care partners, and providers in that process. We evaluated engagement with the initiative to understand its impact. Methods: In 2024, the initiative produced two roundtables and six short videos, primarily with physicians of color. The roundtables were: “Advancing Practice and Enhancing Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Care,” and “Breaking Through Myelofibrosis Practice Barriers.” In the latter, Dr. Raajit K. Rampal emphasized “open lines of communication. I think that from the perspective of [health care professionals] in the community, we want to know that [patients] have questions. We want to make ourselves available to answer those questions. And then I think from the specialist side of things, we have to make ourselves available to address these questions and make ourselves accessible.” After each roundtable, viewers (n=26) completed a mixed methods questionnaire. Quantitative ratings assessed their satisfaction and confidence to facilitate shared decision-making and qualitative questions elicited whether they found relevant resources to share with patients and other topics they wanted to see. Results: Almost all viewers were highly satisfied with the roundtables and rated them extremely positively. The majority strongly agreed that the program gave them the confidence to better facilitate shared decision-making with their patients. Overall, respondents appreciated the resources, found them informative, and valued their role in enhancing the provider’s ability to deliver quality, patient-centric care. Almost all said they found relevant tools to share with their patients, including knowledge of the appropriate language, an emphasis on cultural humility in healthcare, and patient advocacy groups. Suggested future topics included education on symptoms & side effects, the role of care partners in patient interactions, and understanding of treatment goals vs QOL goals. The initiative has been viewed 12,035 times. Conclusions: The initiative is a powerful resource that could enhance physician-patient communication through targeted strategies that equip providers with cultural competency tools. EPEP is a unique contribution to MPN care education and a model for future programs to address gaps in cancer communication for rare diseases.

Modified Delphi Consensus on Interventions for Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Canadian Expert Perspective.

Modified Delphi Consensus on Interventions for Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Canadian Expert Perspective.

Palliative Care Nurse Specialists' Perspectives on Spiritual Care at End of Life-A Scoping Review.

The purpose of this scoping review was to explore and to summarize the published literature on palliative care nurse specialist's perspectives of spiritual care at end of life. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist was followed. Searches were conducted in 6 online databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, HSELibrary). Following a rigorous review process, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a template analyzing aims, population, mean age, setting, year of study, methodology, and key findings. The findings were organized into 4 categories: communication, education and experience, religion, and nurse-patient relationship. The research demonstrates that specialist palliative care nurses perceive spiritual care as an important element of holistic care at end of life; however, these nurses also agree that spiritual care is lacking. This deficiency results from a lack of education in spirituality; experience of the nurse; the nurses' own spiritual and religious beliefs and values, fears, and difficulties in communication; and the nurse-patient relationship. The findings demonstrate the necessity to increase the level of spiritual care education in nurse programs, educating nurses on the provision of spiritual care, and how to deal with conflicts in spiritual and religious beliefs.

Nursing care of the small animal oncology patient. Part 2: pet carer support

Background: Veterinary oncology care extends beyond clinical treatment of the animal to encompass the emotional and practical support of their caregivers. When a pet is diagnosed with cancer, the human–animal bond can intensify, and the resulting caregiver burden may significantly impact the wellbeing of the pet carer. Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are uniquely positioned to provide holistic care during this period, offering not only clinical support but also emotional guidance, practical education and continuity of care. Their involvement can improve trust, communication and compliance, ultimately enhancing quality of life for both patient and carer. As the prevalence of cancer in pets increases, so too does the need for veterinary teams to consider the pet carer's experience as part of the treatment journey.Aim of the article: This article aims to explore the pivotal role of RVNs in supporting pet carers through a cancer diagnosis, treatment and end‐of‐life care. It outlines how RVNs can alleviate caregiver burden, facilitate shared decision‐making, and provide practical and emotional support throughout the oncology journey. By highlighting tools such as quality‐of‐life (QoL) scales, and discussing strategies for effective communication and signposting, this article encourages RVNs to embrace a more proactive role in carer support, ensuring compassionate, comprehensive care throughout the cancer journey. It follows on from Part 1 (Breathnach 2025), which highlighted the vital role RVNs play in oncology nursing.

Utilization and Satisfaction with Three Languages of Dental Terminology E-book

Objectives: With the rising number of Chinese residents in Thailand and Chinese becoming a global language, compelling messages and communication in healthcare are crucial for accurate information and optimal treatment. This pilot study investigated Thai dentists' utilization and satisfaction with the developed electronic “Three Languages of Dental Terminology (TLDT)” book. Methods: Three hundred and thirteen dentists who graduated from the College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, were invited to the online survey using Google Forms. Demographic data, translation tool usage data, initial TLDT experience, and objectives in using TLDT were explored. TLDT utilization and satisfaction were assessed. Fisher's exact test and Pearson's Chi-Square were utilized to analyze the data. Results: Eighty-eight (28.1%) dentists responded to the questionnaire. Respondents met foreign patients monthly, with Chinese patients being the most common group. Most dentists lacked Chinese fluency and relied on translation tools (68.2% use Google Translate). Dentists primarily used TLDT to translate Thai to English (53.4%) and English to Thai (42.0%). Thai, English, and Chinese usage patterns aligned with TLDT's goals, indicating successful implementation (p<0.05). Regarding utilization, TLDT was significantly associated with all objectives (p<0.05) except for spelling accuracy (p=0.06). Most respondents reported high satisfaction scores related considerably to finding words, word pairings, and text accuracy (p<0.05). Postgraduate levels respectively correlated with increased TLDT content satisfaction (p=0.02). Conclusions: The TLDT e-book demonstrates promise as a valuable resource for healthcare personnel, improving dental terminology communication in English and Chinese and might optimize dental care and postgraduate dental education in Thailand.

Examining Education Models for Clinical Staff Working with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Narrative Literature Review.

BackgroundEducation and training are essential for providing quality hospice and palliative care (HAPC). Despite individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) living longer with serious illness, healthcare professionals report inadequate training in this area. Additionally, IDD specialists consistently express discomfort and limited knowledge regarding HAPC.ObjectiveThis narrative review evaluates existing education and training models for hospice and palliative care (HAPC) professionals working with individuals with IDD, emphasizing the reciprocal educational needs between these two specialties.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in March 2024 across multiple databases, including Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL, using terms related to IDD, training, and palliative care. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in seven relevant studies providing insight into educational interventions for IDD and palliative care professionals.ResultsFindings indicate that while several studies demonstrate positive outcomes regarding knowledge, self-efficacy, and satisfaction among participants, there is a lack of standardized training and patient-centered metrics. Existing interventions largely focused on improving the knowledge of IDD staff regarding HAPC, with limited attention given to educating HAPC professionals on the nuances and complexities needs of people with IDD.ConclusionThis review underscores the importance of developing and implementing evidence-based and standardized training programs that encompass the needs of both HAPC and IDD specialists. Future research should prioritize inclusive educational frameworks that involve individuals with IDD and their families in the development process. Attention to exploring metrics beyond self-reported outcomes to enhance the quality of HAPC provided to this vulnerable population should be prioritized.

End-of-life care preparedness and educational needs among nursing staff of long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study assessed the preparedness and knowledge levels of nursing staff—registered nurses (RNs), nursing assistants (NAs), and care workers (CWs)—in South Korean long-term care facilities (LTCFs) regarding end-of-life care (EOLC). It aimed to identify their educational needs and prioritize training topics.MethodsThis study employed a convenience sampling method to recruit RNs, NAs, and CWs from five LTCFs in S City and J Province in Korea. Participants were instructed to complete the questionnaire anonymously in a quiet and distraction-free environment. Data collection was conducted from October 23 to November 10, 2023. The five-step priority-setting process in needs analysis was applied to determine training priorities by occupation group (RNs, NAs, and CWs). The Korean versions of the Staff Preparedness for Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Long-Term Care Homes and the Questionnaire of Palliative Care Education Needs of Nursing Home Staff were used to measure EOLC preparedness and educational needs, respectively. Educational priorities were determined using the Borich needs Discrepancy assessment model, with high-priority items identified via the Locus for Focus model.ResultsA total of 246 nursing staff participated (27 RNs, 17 NAs, 202 CWs). The overall mean EOLC preparedness score was 3.59 ± 0.70, with significant intergroup differences. The overall mean EOLC knowledge score was 2.56 ± 0.62, likewise revealing significant intergroup differences. EOLC educational needs, derived using the Borich needs assessment and Locus for Focus models, varied by occupation group: spiritual care and bereavement support for families were identified as top-priority items for RNs, while interdisciplinary teamwork was the highest-priority item for NAs and CWs.ConclusionsAs a meaningful attempt to establish education plans to improve EOLC competency of LTCF nursing staff, this study provides an evidence-based foundation and thus contributes to the advancement of nursing education. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest the following measures: (1) development of EOLC training programs tailored to the career levels of LTCF nursing staff and (2) designing and evaluation of competency-building programs specific to each occupational group to ensure high-quality EOLC in LTCFs.Trial registrationApproved by the Institutional Review Board of GangneungWonju National University (No. GWNUIRB2023143).Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Effectiveness of the death education in Chinese nurses: A mixed method study

Death education is the foundation of developing hospice care education and the key to training nurses to master death-related knowledge and skills. Young nurses often struggle to manage death clinically due to insufficient preparation and training. The aim of this study is to explore the influence of a death education course based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (DECBTEO) on young nurses in China. Seventy young nurses from a Chinese university-affiliated hospital were selected through purposive sampling to participate in death education courses during January and February 2024. The research utilized a mixed-methods design, incorporating both pre- and post-intervention questionnaires and post-intervention interviews. Quantitative results indicated significant improvements in participants’ death reflection and coping abilities. Four themes were derived from the semi-structured interviews: developing new thinking and experiences, obtaining hospice care’s tips, huge obstacles that could be faced, overall assessment of the course. Our intervention proved effective in helping young nurses to engage in future hospice services with a more positive mindset and professional skills.

The heart of palliative care is relational: a scoping review of the ethics of care in palliative medicine

BackgroundPalliative care, perhaps more than any subspecialty in healthcare, is deeply relational and engages patients and families at times of great vulnerability. Ethics of care, or relational ethics, developed through contributions from feminist ethics, offers conceptual tools and ways of thinking that seem especially suited to palliative care practice.AimTo identify and describe studies and theoretical analyses applying the ethics of care to palliative care (both adult and paediatric), specifically, its use to guide and improve practice and education for palliative care practitioners.DesignWe conducted a scoping review of six databases covering clinical, social science and normative ethics scholarship and conducted a thematic analysis of the findings and ethical discussions or arguments.Data sourcesDatabases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science and Philosopher’s Index from 1982 to November 2024.Results30 publications meeting our inclusion criteria were identified. Major themes reflected the relational obligations, attributes and character traits ideally developed in palliative care providers in their work and relationships with patients and families, including responsiveness, connectedness and hope, as well as in caring for ourselves and each other on palliative care teams. An emerging literature recognises the special guidance for palliative care for children.ConclusionsClinical and ethical scholarship in palliative care reveals a valuable but still underexplored connection between the ethical commitments within the ethics of care tradition and palliative care training and practice. Ethics of care addresses important gaps in training, particularly having to do with practitioners’ relationships and ways of being with patients, families, colleagues and themselves.

Experts Teaching Wound Management-A Survey of Current Practices in Germany.

This study aimed to gain insights into wound care education for medical students in Germany. An exploratory study with an online survey was conducted among wound experts of different professions, requesting details about educational programmes concerning teaching content, methodology, integration into current curricula and teaching faculty. The analysis included 118 datasets gathered from 17 doctors, 93 nurses and eight other health professionals. In 48.9% of cases, wound management was taught by different health care professionals, with doctors and nurses building a teaching team most frequently (68.2%). In about half of the cases, the medical students were learning together with trainees from other health professions. The teaching team was interdisciplinary in 40.4% of the courses. The large range of medical disciplines in which wound care was taught shows how variably this topic can be used in medical teaching. Nevertheless, the results from this survey also show that the topic is still clearly underrepresented in medical training, even though there is a high level of interest among medical students and a clear relevance for everyday practice as a physician. The medical teachers in this survey suggest more practical sessions on causal therapy, wound pain, quality of life and local wound care in the regular medical curriculum.

‘Life changing, transformative and poignant’: The student experience and the online pedagogy of care

Reflecting on the quality and impact of the largest and most successful online course in our institution was the starting point for the research reported in this study. Our project’s aim was to assess the quality of our provision with reference to the lived experiences of some of our former students. We had two interrelated research questions. The first solicited information concerning the impact of our course on our students; the second sought insights into how they experienced shifts in identity and their sense of self during the course. Data was collected in the form of autobiographical essays (c.1000 words each), guided by written questions and prompts. Fifteen narrative accounts of student journeys, written by alumni from Manchester Metropolitan University’s MSc/PGDip in Psychology (Online) Conversion Award, were analysed using thematic analysis. Analysis uncovered a four-stage model of the online student journey: (i) Anticipation, when students grapple with anxiety and uncertainty as they anticipate whether the course is right for them; (ii) Belonging, (subthemes of: online environment; staff support and peer support) when students settle into the course and begin to find a sense of inclusivity and fellowship within a supportive community; (iii) Transformation, involving a series of turning points and revelatory moments, and (iv) Reflection, when students look back on their journey with newfound confidence, pride and an altered sense of identity. Our model captures the essence of the online student journey, marking a powerful evolution from uncertainty to empowered achievement. Our findings demonstrate how attending to a specifically online pedagogy of care can nurture the transformative educational experiences of online students.

Does Facilitated Palliative Care Education Improve Patient Identification? A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Primary Care Providers in the CAPACITI Training Program.

Background: Primary care providers (PCPs) play a critical role in initiating palliative care but are often unsure how to identify patients for this approach. Community Access to PAlliative Care via Interprofessional Teams Improvement program (CAPACITI) is a virtual education program that provides practical tools and strategies for PCPs to help them operationalize palliative care, complementing clinical skills training. Objectives: To assess the impact of facilitated versus self-directed versions of CAPACITI, in assisting PCPs to better incorporate an early palliative approach to care in practice. Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT). Setting/Subjects: PCP teams across Canada that enrolled in CAPACITI were randomized and stratified by team size and geography. The control group (self-directed) received access to the CAPACITI online session materials (e.g., slide decks, tools, summary sheets, assignments). In addition to this, the intervention group (facilitated) was also invited to participate in facilitated biweekly, virtual webinars. Measurements: Difference between the two groups in self-reported identification of patients requiring a palliative approach to care following the intervention (calculated as percentage of caseload in past three months). Results: A total of 185 teams, representing 566 individuals, enrolled in CAPACITI and completed baseline measures. In total, 295 participants reported providing direct patient care; 166 of these participants (33.9%) were lost to follow-up. Prior to CAPACITI, providers in both groups reported identifying a median of 20.0% of their patients as requiring a palliative approach to care. Post-intervention, these median percentages increased for both groups to 33.3% for the facilitated group, and 40.0% for the self-directed group (p < 0.001 overall), with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.3, mean effect estimate = -0.04, 95% CI: [-0.12, 0.04]). Conclusions: We found that CAPACITI improved palliative care identification, regardless of whether the online content was facilitated via webinars or self-directed. Further research is required to examine optimal uses of facilitation for skill development.

Soulful Pedagogies of Care

ABSTRACT This essay describes soulful pedagogies of care for dance students, specifically from the perspective of somatic depth psychology. In order to develop and implement pedagogies of care, it is important to clarify what pedagogies of care truly means and to whom those approaches apply. Dancers of different ages and skill levels need different kinds of care. Dance students who are just committing to their training (and thus beginning to develop a “Dancer identity”) are impressionable and could especially benefit from pedagogies of care that incorporate soul. The concept of soul is explored from a somatic depth psychological perspective, succinctly described as a perspective through which numinous experience occurs. Soul is the focus of this exploration as it is often the most underrepresented element when discussing care. Some possibilities for implementing soulful pedagogies of care (specifically through the use of Authentic Movement) are offered for exploration.

Palliative care training programmes for community volunteers working with children and their families: a scoping review

IntroductionVolunteers play a significant role in enhancing the quality of palliative care. Training is necessary to deliver voluntary community care that assists healthcare professionals, benefits families and eradicates inequities for underserved populations. Community volunteers form a large part of paediatric palliative care support, but training courses are rarely specific to children leaving volunteers unprepared and unsupported.AimTo identify existing literature and synthesise knowledge gaps related to volunteer training in community paediatric palliative care.MethodThis scoping review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley and Levac et al. We conducted searches for published literature on palliative care education published between 2000 and 2023 through comprehensive searches of the Web of Science, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases.ResultsIn total, 16 (out of 590) articles met the eligibility criteria and were extracted for review. No articles exploring paediatric palliative care training for community volunteers were identified but findings from research with adults suggest that training should be tailored to volunteers' responsibilities, local needs, and culture. Training is varied but volunteers will likely benefit from blended learning that engages with communities. Four predominant domains were identified: public health palliative care education, factors related to developing community volunteers, main topics and training contents, and training models for community volunteers.ConclusionsGlobally, the provision of palliative and end-of-life care is increasingly falling to carers, volunteers, and public health workers. Education is vital to prepare volunteers, improve confidence and offer support. This first scoping review of volunteer training provides much-needed evidence to guide future educational development for the informal workforce and identifies a gap for original research specific to paediatrics.

Podcasting in primary care: attitudes of Scottish GP specialty trainees and trainers towards podcast-based education in primary care.

Podcasts are rapidly gaining popularity within medical education, but their acceptability and effectiveness within primary care education remains understudied. To evaluate the attitudes of General Practitioner Specialty Trainees (GPSTs) and GP Trainers towards audio podcasts for primary care medical education. A cross-sectional questionnaire distributed to all GPSTs and GP Trainers in Scotland. The survey evaluated podcast usage patterns, their perceived effectiveness, and perspectives on the benefits and challenges of podcast-based education. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Of 1995 invited participants, 219 individuals (11.0%) responded. Medical education podcasts were used by 69.9% of respondents, with higher usage among GPSTs (73.5%) than GP Trainers (65.7%). Most respondents (89%) perceived podcasts as an effective medium for primary care education. The majority of respondents noted improvements in professional knowledge (92.8%), confidence in delivering patient care (73.5%), and clinical care provision (81.6%), as a result of podcast usage. Key benefits of podcasts included flexibility and accessibility, while the main challenge was personal time constraints. Respondents highlighted quality assurance and awareness as key areas for improving the experience of podcast-based education. Podcasts are accepted and perceived as an effective educational tool within primary care education. Future efforts should focus on developing high-quality, relevant podcasts, and addressing concerns around personal time constraints and quality assurance. Further research, including larger, more representative samples, is needed to assess the impact of podcasts on knowledge retention, clinician behaviour and clinical outcomes within primary care.

Analyzing Usage of the Metaverse by Associations of Patients With Prostate Cancer During the 2023 Blue Ribbon Campaign: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

It is important to explain early diagnosis and treatment plans to patients of prostate cancer due to the different stages that diagnosis is made at and the corresponding stage-specific treatment options, as well as the varying prognoses depending on the choices made. Although various studies have implemented metaverse-based interventions across diverse clinical settings for medical education, there is a lack of publications addressing the implementation and validation of patient education using this technology. This study explored the potential of the metaverse as an educational and informational tool for prostate cancer. We measured and analyzed participants' satisfaction and perceptions following a metaverse-based prostate cancer awareness campaign. We also evaluated the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the metaverse as a platform for hosting a virtual patient association and delivering health education. The study was conducted via a questionnaire administered from September 15 to October 20, 2023, during the Blue Ribbon Campaign organized by the Korean Urological Association and the Korean Society of Urological Oncology. The postevent questionnaire was designed to assess the effectiveness of using the metaverse to increase awareness of prostate cancer. A total of 119 participants, including patients, caregivers, and members of the general population, completed the survey within the metaverse space and assessed their satisfaction and perceived awareness using a 5-point Likert scale. The mean educational satisfaction score was 4.17 (SD 0.65), the mean psychological satisfaction score was 4.06 (SD 0.70), the mean overall satisfaction score was 4.12 (SD 0.72), and the mean awareness score was 4.09 (SD 0.72) out of a possible 5 points. Among responses rated 4 or higher ("agree" or "strongly agree"), 82.8% (394/476) were in the educational aspect, 76.6% (365/476) in psychological satisfaction, 81% (289/357) in overall satisfaction, and 80.4% (287/357) in awareness. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in psychological (median 4.0, IQR 3.50-4.63, vs median 4.50, IQR 4.0-4.56) and overall (median 4.0, IQR 3.67-4.83, vs median 4.33, IQR 4.0-4.67) aspects between the general population group and patients and caregivers (median 4.0, IQR 3.33-4.33, vs median 4.67, IQR 4.0-4.67). The findings suggest that the metaverse holds promise as a platform for health care education and patient support, offering accessible and engaging experiences for patients, caregivers, and members of the general population. Our approach demonstrated a positive influence on participants' satisfaction and perceived awareness, highlighting its potential to enhance health communication and patient engagement. Despite these encouraging results, limitations, such as the sample being skewed toward younger participants and reliance on self-reported data, underscore the need for more rigorous and multidimensional assessment strategies. Future studies should incorporate objective knowledge assessments, behavioral follow-ups, and qualitative methods to better evaluate the intervention's effectiveness. This study provides early evidence that metaverse-based interventions can support disease awareness and promote preventive health behaviors, contributing to the ongoing evolution of digital health education.

A Single Academic Site Study of Five Years Evaluating Pharmacy Students' Palliative Care Clinical Reasoning Using Script Concordance Testing.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a Pain and Palliative Care elective didactic course on enhancing clinical reasoning skills among Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students using the Script Concordance Test (SCT). As palliative care education becomes increasingly vital in pharmacy training, assessing its effectiveness is essential for curriculum development. Methods: A 5-year prospective study was conducted between 2018 and 2023 at a single academic institution. The elective course was offered six times, covering various palliative care topics such as opioid management, procedural pain, and end-of-life care. A total of 130 third year PharmD candidate students, completed pre- and post-course SCT assessments. The SCT, administered via an online platform, was used to measure clinical reasoning in ambiguous scenarios, with scores compared to a panel of expert responses. Results: The study found a statistically significant improvement in SCT scores from pre- to post-course assessments (P = 0.04), with a mean score increase of 0.09. The 5-year cohort's average score (0.56) outperformed a previous multisite cohort (0.50), although the difference was not statistically significant. Item analysis highlighted areas where students struggled, such as bowel obstruction and CYP interactions, indicating potential areas for curriculum enhancement. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a targeted palliative care elective in improving clinical reasoning skills among pharmacy students. The findings suggest the need for ongoing curriculum refinement to address specific areas of difficulty and ensure comprehensive palliative care education.

Depression in Early Care and Education Teachers: Individual and Environmental Predictors in the Lead-Up to and Beginning of COVID-19

ABSTRACT The current study aimed to identify predictors of depression for early care and education (ECE) teachers before and at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using large-scale statewide survey data collected during December 2019-February 2020 (N = 1156) and May 2020 (N = 760), we examined the extent to which ECE teachers’ socio-demographic, professional, and work environment characteristics were predictive of depression scores before the pandemic, and how these factors, coupled with COVID-19 stressors, predicted change during the beginning of the pandemic, controlling for pre-COVID-19 variables. Before the pandemic, results showed that ECE teachers’ work hours, child age group taught, and perception of job demands uniquely predicted greater depression, whereas teachers’ age, identifying as Latine, and perception of job support uniquely predicted lower depression. Our results also showed that there was a significant mean increase in depression from pre to post pandemic, and that work hours, job demands, and income worry were each predictive of greater increases in depression. Finally, teachers who were from specific BIPOC groups had less increase in depression compared to White teachers. Implications of these findings on the ECE teacher workforce as well as recommendations for policy and practice are discussed.