Quality of care collaborative for paediatric palliative care in Australia (QuoCCA)

Abstract

Background: Geography and population distribution present challenges to the care of children with life-limiting conditions (LLC) within Australia. Children and young people have unique needs in relation to the provision of palliative care within Australia. Objectives: This project aims to improving the quality of care provided to children in close proximity to their home through educational initiatives. This is primarily delivered through “pop-up” education. 'Pop-up' education usually occurs (face-face or telehealth) when a specialist service is building capacity within a child and family's local community and creating a paediatric network. The education provided can be specific to symptom management, end of life care, physical aspects of patient care according to their individualised need and diagnosis and psychosocial needs. The setting is usually in a non-metropolitan location, and the education is provided in a timely manner in relation to the patient's needs. Design/Method: The project is a collaboration of the specialist paediatric palliative care services in each state of Australia. The project is being evaluated using pre and post intervention questionnaires completed by participants in the 'pop-up' educational initiatives. Evaluationwill consider factors such as knowledge, confidence and efficacy around providing care for children with LLC. Results: Forty-six “pop-up” education sessions had been delivered between June 2015 and November 2016. This has included each state and territory of Australia. There have been 507 participants in pop-up education sessions (92 hours of education). Nurses represented the largest group of attendees.Medical and allied health staff also attended demonstrating the need for education to applicable to an inter-disciplinary audience. To date there has been an improvement in the knowledge and confidence of participants to:• manage symptoms (pain, nausea, dyspnoea, seizures, and anxiety), • manage a new referral, • be aware of available resources• be confident in how to help a family prepare for a child's death• confidence in the provision of medications to children's receiving palliative care (including subcutaneous delivery). Conclusion: A collaboration of paediatric palliative care services providing education in a planned and co-ordinated way shows promise in increasing capacity for paediatric palliative care within Australia, and should assist achieving goals of the National Palliative Care Strategy 2010.L6176879242017-08-11 <br />