568 Facilitating regional education in paediatric palliative care: a digital success. (17th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holland, Charlotte; Pearce, Alison; Lakie, Sue
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 107(2022)Supplement 2
• Page Start: A36
• Page End: A36
• Publication Date: 2022-08-17
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-rcpch.58
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : To explore the requirements, then create and deliver education in children's palliative care within the Managed Clinical Network (MCN) for Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire, considering continued restrictions on face-to-face group size due to COVID-19 and increasing need for virtual methods of education that facilitate learning. Methods: Two groups were identified to run pilot education programmes within the region. The first was a group of three Band 6/7 outreach nurses in paediatric palliative care working towards specialist level/prescriber status through Helen and Douglas House Hospice. A curriculum was devised based on national guidance and self-identified learning needs covering over 20 divided into mini-series of 2-5 sessions. Teaching is delivered weekly for 30-45 minutes, facilitated through a virtual meeting room using Microsoft Teams and interactive worksheets through a Moodle platform course. The second was the development of a series of five 'webinar' style sessions to introduce the concepts of paediatric palliative care, delivered to interested nurses from acute, ward and community teams across the region. This identified learning need came through a local collaboration group comprising paediatric and neonatal intensive care, oncology, hospice and child mortality members. Webinars were run for 1 hour in the evening every 6-8 weeks using Microsoft Teams and PowerPoint with integrated videos detailing family/patient stories and experiences, and a facilitated Q&A session. Further series will be hosted by the neonatal and children's intensive care teams. Results: Outreach nurses consistently reported 5/5 on a Likert scale of usefulness for each mini-series developed. They enjoyed the mixture of learning styles, including case discussion, communication skills, short videos, interactive elements and using resources to answer specific questions. It was an advantage to get instant feedback on correct or 'ideal' answers. They felt that weekly sessions of 30-45 minutes with group size of 5 or fewer participants was optimal for learning. About half of those who signed up to the webinar series pilot attended the event in person, with a further percentage accessing recorded material post-event. It was well-received as an introductory series level with 88% giving it a 4 or 5* rating for usefulness, and 84% saying they would be likely to join for further sessions (the remaining 16% were 'not sure' depending on specific topic or timings). Attendees enjoyed the 'chunk-style' of information rather than a more overwhelming full day, use of patient stories and case discussion. They found the length of session and evening timing acceptable. Conclusion: The project has attracted Hospice UK funding as part of an MCN grant and is being presented as an option for education on a wider regional footprint through NHS-South-East England. Multi-media and innovative approaches enhance the digital education experience for the learner, meaning they are more engaged despite the virtual environment. Targeted paediatric palliative care education can be meaningfully delivered in mini-series delivered in short sessions. Further development of a virtual platform to enable education to a wider reach across the region is desired, with a blended approach of virtual face-to-face and supporting resources.