Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng HYN(1), Ko PS(2), Mak KN(3), Lam YF(3), Ng TC(3), Chiu PC(3), Lam SK(1), Law WC(3)
Affiliation :
(1)Palliative Care Unit, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, (2)Nursing Services Division, United Christian Hospital. (3)Palliative Care Service, Department of Medicine, Haven of Hope Hospital.
Introduction :
Constant exposure to the distress and suffering of the dying could be emotionally draining for healthcare workers, including Patient Care Assistants (PCAs). Compassion and resilience have been recognized in enhancing quality patient care and wellbeing of caretakers in literatures. In Kowloon East Cluster (KEC), Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) were empowered in caring of the dying patients and their families via compassion and resilience experiential (CARE) training workshops on end-of-life care (EOLC).
Objectives :
(1) To build compassion and resilience of PCAs in caring for the dying, and (2) to enhance PCAs’ competence and job satisfaction in providing EOLC.
Methodology :
CARE training workshops including didactic lectures, role play on patient-centered communication, self-reflection exercise and compassionate role modeling on EOLC were provided to PCAs. “Pre-test” vs. “Post-test” design was used. Outcomes were PCA’s attitude toward care of the dying and satisfaction survey.
Result & Outcome :
In 2018 and 2019, 44 PCAs of KEC attended the CARE workshops. There was a statistically significant positive change in their post-training score in the 10-item questionnaire modified from the Chinese version of Fronmmelt Attitufe Toward Care Of the Dying, FATCOD (Yang, Lu, Zhao, Gu & Zhang, 2016) (pre 38.9 vs. post 41; p< 0.05, independent t-test). Participants had positive change in 9 out of the 10 items and remained static in the remaining item. They were also less ‘uncertain’ in 90% of the items. The item with the greatest improvement in post-score was “I would be uncomfortable if I entered the room of a terminally ill person and found him/her crying” (pre 2.6 vs. post 3), followed by “giving care to the dying person is a worthwhile experience” (pre 4.16 vs. post 4.46). For satisfaction survey, all participants showed positive response and requested for ongoing training in EOLC to equip them for combating difficulties and challenges at work. In conclusion, the CARE training workshops showed positive effect on PCAs’ attitude of caring for dying patients. PCAs were helped to harbor a sense of satisfaction and pride in their work that they all appreciated the workshops. The CARE training workshop is recommended for more frontline care workers to empower them in providing quality EOLC, while increasing their job satisfaction and staff retention.
