Children's palliative care Modules evaluation Report

Abstract

This report provides the evaluation from the perspective of students on the three modules of the first modular programme in children’s palliative care (2011-2012) at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin funded by the Irish Hospice Foundation. Background to Children’s Palliative Care Project Children’s palliative care has increasingly been recognized as a distinct specialty and area of practice (Department of Health & Children 2001, 2010, Department of Health & Children and Irish Hospice Foundation 2005). In Ireland, education for healthcare professionals in children’s palliative care has been limited (Department of Health & Children and Irish Hospice Foundation 2005). This innovative project responds to national and international policies that indicate the need to develop and implement children’s palliative care interdisciplinary education. The modules are the first children’s inter-professional palliative care modules in Ireland and were delivered in the academic year 2011/2012. Aim of this Report The aim of this report is to provide the evaluation of three modules in children’s palliative care from the perspective of the students. Methodology The modular evaluation employed a modified CAPSL evaluation tool. Data was collected by anonymous questionnaires from students for each module. Findings Overall the students evaluated all three modules positively. Generally, students valued the interdisciplinary aspect of the modules and rated very highly the lecturers with expertise in children’s palliative care. However, they found that the overall delivery of the modules was very intensive which allowed little accommodation for class interaction, peer learning or time to assimilate theory into practice. Recommendations Students recommended that all lecturers in the future have specialist knowledge in children’s palliative care. They clearly recommended that in order for them to assimilate the knowledge that the module be delivered on every alternative week as opposed to every week.