Enhancing professional quality of life in palliative care through a virtual training program

Introduction

In palliative care, the intense emotional toll on professionals, volunteers, and trainees is widely recognized, potentially leading to severe emotional strain and burnout. This pilot study presents an innovative solution—an asynchronous, 15-h, cost-free, fully online training program—to enhance the quality of life and self-care practices of palliative care professionals, students, and volunteers in Ecuador.

Methods

The program comprises 5 comprehensive modules, addressing pivotal topics such as palliative care principles, effective relationship-building, crisis and trauma management, and professional quality of life improvement. Leveraging multimedia resources, including videos, readings, and interactive exercises, the modules facilitate engaging and informative learning experiences.

Results

Two hundred and ten individuals involved in palliative care in Ecuador enrolled in the online program. Pre- and post-training questionnaires were administered to assess effectiveness, encompassing various assessment tools to measure changes in professional quality of life and self-care. The assessments also included socio-demographic information and satisfaction surveys. Ultimately, 51 participants successfully completed the training, revealing positive feedback and significant improvements in self-care practices post-training. However, a 75% dropout rate, primarily attributed to time constraints, underscores the necessity for flexible training options during work hours.

Conclusions

This research underscores the critical role of continuous training and supportive environments that prioritize self-care for palliative care professionals. Organizations must recognize the significance of allocating dedicated time during work hours for these essential activities, thereby promoting the well-being of their invaluable staff.