Practice Improvement Projects in an Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Training Program

Aziz Ansari, Aliza Baron, Holly Nelson-Becker, Catherine Deamant, George Fitchett, Erik Fister, Sean O’Mahony, Stacie Levine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: Demand for palliative care (PC) continues to increase with an insufficient number of specialists to meet the need. This requires implementation of training curricula to expand the workforce of interdisciplinary clinicians who care for persons with serious illness. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of utilizing individual practice improvement projects (PIP) as part of a longitudinal PC curriculum, the Coleman Palliative Medicine Training Program (CPMTP-2). Methods: Participants developed their PIPs based on their institutional needs and through a mentor, and participated in monthly meetings and bi-annual conferences, thereby allowing for continued process improvement and feedback. Results: Thirty-seven interdisciplinary participants implemented 30 PIPs encompassing 7 themes: (1) staff education; (2) care quality and processes; (3) access to care; (4) documentation of care delivered; (5) new program development; (6) assessing gaps in care/patient needs; and (7) patient/family education. The majority of projects did achieve completion, with 16 of 30 projects reportedly being sustained several months after conclusion of the required training period. Qualitative feedback regarding mentors’ expertise and availability was uniformly positive. Conclusion: The CPMTP-2 demonstrates the positive impact of PIPs in the development of skills for interdisciplinary learners as part of a longitudinal training program in primary PC. Participation in a PIP with administrative support may lead to operational improvement within PC teams.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)831-837
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Volume39
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • education
  • mentors
  • palliative care
  • projects
  • training

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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