1286 IS VIRTUAL ADVANCE CARE PLANNING SIMULATION AS EFFECTIVE AS FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING?. (16th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barnard, A; Petra, H; Owen, L; Goffe, K; Bergbaum, C; Wickham, H; Fox, O; Pleming, J; Steel, A
• Is Part Of: Age and ageing. Volume 52(2023)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2023-01-16
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac322.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0729

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Advance care planning (ACP) is about what matters to patients, enabling their wishes to be respected, even when they become unable to engage in decision-making. Evidence shows ACP improves end of life care for patients and reduces relatives' bereavement reactions (Detering KM et al. BMJ. 2010; 340:1345). A simulation course for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, using actors, was developed to improve understanding of ACP, and confidence in having these conversations. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the course was adapted to an online format. Method: Participants were asked about their ACP confidence and understanding pre- and post-course, using a Likert scale (1-Not at all to 5-Very confident). Data between 2018-2022 was analysed to compare face-to-face and online course responses. Free-text responses to 'How do you feel about attending the course online?' were analysed qualitatively. Ethics approval was not required. Results: Five face-to-face and five virtual sessions trained 128 and 133 attendees respectively. Confidence in having ACP discussions improved significantly following the course in both cohorts; from a mean Likert rating of 2.77 (95% CI 2.60-2.94, n=132) to 4.11 following face-to-face training (95% CI 3.97-4.25, n=128), and from 2.79 (95% CI 2.66-2.91, n=149) to 4.11 following the online course (95% CI 4.01-4.21, n=133). Additionally, 97% (n=132) of face-to-face attendees and 99.2% (n=133) of virtual attendees said their practice would change because of the course. Following the training, 100% of participants across both cohorts reported that they 'fully understood' what was meant by ACP, from a baseline of 77.3% (n=132) in the face-to-face cohort and 81.9% (n=149) of virtual participants. Free-text analysis highlighted the convenience of attending online (n=22, 21%), and only a minority reported technical difficulties (n=8, 8%). Conclusion: This course was successfully adapted to a virtual format, improving participants' ACP confidence and understanding as effectively as in-person training, whilst being more accessible.