Closing Gaps: A qualitative analysis of participanClosing Gaps: A Qualitative Analysis of Participants’ Self-Reported Educational Gains and Outcomes After an International E-Learning Course in Neuropalliative Carets’ self-reported educational gains and outcomes after an international e-learning course in neuropalliative care
Neha Kramer1, Jessica Besbris2, Sarah Bublitz3, Mara Lugassy4, Roop Gursahani5, Winnie Lau6, Susan DeSanto-Madeya7, John Rhee8, Seema Rao9, Krithika Rao10, Naveen Salins10, Piret Paal11
1Rush University Medical Center, 2Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 3Paracelsus Medical University, 4Westchester Medical Center, 5P.D.Hinduja National Hospital, 6University of North Carolina, 7University of Rhode Island, 8Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 9Karunashraya Institute for Palliative Care Education and Research, 10Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, 11University of Tartu
Objective:
To assess the impact of an international e-learning neuropalliative care course on participants' self-reported knowledge and perceptions of palliative care.
Background:
Patients with progressive neurologic illness lack access to quality palliative care (PC) services. This disparity is even more pronounced in low-resource countries. Barriers to the comprehensive provision of neuropalliative care (NPC) include gaps in PC education. To address this barrier, a novel international NPC e-learning course was launched in 2022.
Design/Methods:
We conducted a qualitative study on self-reported learning outcomes and educational gains of participants in an international NPC e-learning course. Participants were asked the following questions: (1) How has your perception of NPC changed or developed after completing this course? (2) Please describe one or two key ethical considerations in NPC. How has this course equipped you to address these? (3) How has this course helped you to understand the emotional and spiritual needs of neurologic patients and their caregivers? (4) Reflect on any personal experiences or insights you have gained during the course and how these might influence your approach to NPC.
Results:
Thematic analysis showed changes in participants’ perceptions of NPC and several specific educational gains. Participants recognized NPC as a multiprofessional and interdisciplinary effort requiring more than medical knowledge and disease-specific treatment skills. They gained understanding of the complexity of prognosis in neurological diseases, as well as ethical concepts as the basis to approach difficult decisions. Valuing patient/caregivers needs as well as providing honest and open communication were recognized as key components of care. In particular, providing emotional support and building relationships to enhance the spiritual component of care were avidly discussed as essential nonmedical treatment options.
Conclusions:
This e-learning course helped close the gaps in healthcare professionals' knowledge about NPC. E-learning courses can be a helpful tool to extend educational interventions into low-resource settings.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.