A multi-site study on the impact of an advance care planning workshop on attitudes, beliefs and behavioural intentions over a 6-month period

​Background
This study evaluated the impact of the adapted version of the Respecting Choices®The Living Matters Advance Care Planning (ACP) facilitator training programme on trainees' attitudes on facilitation 6 months post-training.

Setting and participants

Two hundred and twenty-one healthcare professionals consisting of doctors, nurses, medical social workers from different training venues in Singapore participated in the first phase of the study (pre- and post) of which 107 participated in the second phase 6 months later (follow-up).

Methods
Participants self-rated their attitudes, beliefs and behavioural intentions through surveys at three time points in an evaluation design that utilised repeated measures one-way ANOVA (pre-, post-, follow-up). Between-group differences were also examined using independent t-test.

Results
At follow-up, mean scores increased significantly in understanding, confidence, and competence. Changes in effect sizes were large. Although trainees continued to think that ACP is emotionally draining for facilitators, more than before, facilitation experience was considered pleasant for themselves with the positive change significant and moderate in effect size. Those who had experience completing/initiating ACP significantly held more positive views than those who did not.

Conclusions
The ACP facilitator training programme had lasting effects on enhancing the understanding, competence and confidence of trainees. Importantly, findings showed that experience in actual facilitation within 6 months after training was important and giving trainees opportunities to facilitate is recommended.

SOURCE:
BMC Med Educ

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02735-3

AUTHOR(S):
Yu CC, Koh EJ, Low JA, Ong ML, Sim AGH, Hong DYQ, Chong R, Low J, Ng R