Advancing Interprofessional Palliative Care Education: From Needs Assessment to Pilot Testing

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new graduate-level palliative care curriculum designed to improve interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Contribution

The study presents a novel curriculum and pilot testing framework for interprofessional palliative care education.

Findings

A needs assessment identified communication, role clarity, and cultural competence as key competencies for interprofessional palliative care.

Pilot testing with students from social work, nursing, and theology showed the curriculum's effectiveness in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

The curriculum addresses structural challenges like discipline-specific silos and inconsistent training in palliative care education.

Abstract

Interprofessional education is essential in preparing health professionals for effective team-based practice, particularly in palliative care, where interdisciplinary collaboration is fundamental. This poster presents findings from a qualitative needs assessment and pilot testing of a newly developed graduate-level palliative care curriculum to enhance interdisciplinary training for social work, nursing, and theology students. A needs assessment survey (n = 25) conducted with palliative care professionals identified key competencies necessary for effective interprofessional practice, including communication, role clarity, and cultural competence. Structural and systemic challenges such as discipline-specific silos, inconsistent training, and workforce development gaps were also highlighted, emphasizing the need for targeted curriculum interventions that promote team-based care and cultural responsiveness. In response, an interdisciplinary faculty team developed a nine-module asynchronous online course designed to: (1) build discipline-specific expertise within a team context, (2) foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, (3) integrate culturally responsive approaches to patient and family engagement, and (4) promote sustainable practices to mitigate clinician burnout. Pilot testing with a Student Advisory Group—comprising graduate students from social work, nursing, and theology—provided feedback on content effectiveness, interdisciplinary integration, and applicability to real-world palliative care settings. Findings from the needs assessment and pilot testing underscore the importance of interdisciplinary education in developing a workforce capable of delivering compassionate, holistic palliative care. This initiative offers a replicable model for interprofessional training, equipping future clinicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the growing demands of an aging and diverse patient population. Focus areas: interprofessional education, palliative care, interdisciplinary collaboration, curriculum development, cultural responsiveness, workforce training