Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1012
Title: An evaluation of palliative care education in the specialist training programme in family medicine
Authors: Abela, Jurgen C.
Mallia, Pierre
Keywords: Family medicine -- Malta
Palliative treatment
Medical education -- Evaluation
Issue Date: 2010
Publisher: Malta Medical Journal
Citation: Malta Medical Journal. 2010, Vol.22(4), p. 26-33
Abstract: Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the teaching in palliative care (PC) provided during the Specialist Training Programme in Family Medicine (STPFM) in Malta. Methodology: A questionnaire was used, based on two other validated questionnaires used in a similar population. Fifteen topics commonly encountered in PC were analysed. Results: Twenty-two (74.4%) trainees returned the questionnaire. All trainees received exposure to palliative care patients, but only 5 (22.7%) felt involved in their care and only 6 (27.3%) ever used a syringe driver. Most PC teaching in the STPFM was formal in nature. Trainees felt that palliative care subjects were covered well in the STPFM, but non-medical areas received lower scores. Trainees’ confidence closely mirrored the scores for subject coverage. The Half-Day Release Programmes were the most useful palliative care teaching resource. A correct answer for the question on pain management was obtained by 63.3% of trainees and 23.7% got a correct answer for the question on the use of a syringe driver. Concerns on managing dying patients in the community were raised by 40.9% of trainees. Trainees judged overall positively their STPFM. Conclusion: GP trainees need to be trained in PC in a manner that adequately addresses their future caseload. Changes need to be made in the PC teaching within the STPFM to address areas such as ethical issues in end-of-life; using a syringe driver; selfcare and managing patients in the community.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/1012
Appears in Collections:MMJ, Volume 22, Issue 4
MMJ, Volume 22, Issue 4
Scholarly Works - FacM&SFM
Scholarly Works - FacM&SMed

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