Latha MS, Thirugnanasambandam RP, Balakrishnan N, Meghanathan HS, Moorthy A, Venkatraman P, Paramasivam V, Scott JX. The need of pediatric palliative care education among pediatric postgraduates in South India.
Indian J Pediatr 2014;
81:455-9. [PMID:
24408397 DOI:
10.1007/s12098-013-1295-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To assess the status of Pediatric Palliative care education among the pediatric postgraduates in South India and reinforce the need to introduce a targeted curriculum to improve their skills and confidence levels in handling terminally ill children.
METHODS
The study was conducted in a 2 d workshop attended by 180 pediatric postgraduates from South India. An 18 point questionnaire was given to the participants and the questions were to test their clinical knowledge and confidence levels in treating terminally ill children. SPSS 18.V software was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
Eighty eight percent of the postgraduates had never received any training in any aspect of palliative care. 77.3 % felt uncomfortable in initiating a discussion about palliative care with the family members. 60.7 % were not comfortable with the care of the dying patient. 87.3 % strongly supported that a formal training in palliative care would improve their competence in this field.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a huge lacunae in the delivery of palliative care services and hence an urgent need to inculcate targeted curriculum to provide focused skills and training for the pediatric postgraduates.
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