A comparative study looking at the effectiveness of two different teaching methods used to improve the integration of the palliative care approach into rural residential aged care facilities

Palliative Care, throughout Australia, continues to evolve as a specialty (Department of HeaIth and Ageing, 2004). Palliative Care Australia (PCA) describes a model of care whereby Specialist palliative Care providers consult with Primary Care providers for patients with complex palliative care needs (PCA, 2005). It is clear that not all people with life limiting illness require Specialist Palliative Care input, but they will require a palliative approach to their care (PCA 2005).

In recent years there have been considerable changes in links between Aged Care and Palliative Care (Department of Health and Ageing, 2005) with many national programs targeting the delivery of the palliative approach in RACFs

Specialist palliative care providers aim to support RACFs with the skills to deliver confident care, founded in the palliative approach to care, with a strong recognition of when to refer for specialist advice.

In accordance with the above, this study has the following aims: 

   To compare two models of teaching in order to establish which produces
   a greater impact on staff knowledge, attitudes, confidence and behaviour
   (In-servicing Vs Case-Conferencing)

  To elicit data on acceptability of teaching methods for staff

  To describe from the above which model of support will benefit other rural
  RACFs and deduce what impacts may follow in regard to patient care