Let’s Talk About Dying: An Educational Pilot Program to Improve Providers’ Competency in End-Of-Life Discussions

Abstract

Introduction

Advance care planning (ACP) conversations occur infrequently due to lack of provider confidence-level, education, and workplace support for gaining skills in initiating goals of care and end-of-life discussions.

Methods

A 3-month quality improvement project was carried out between October 2021 to January 2022 using a short, accessible virtual presentation on provider initiation of goals of care conversations. A pre-test/post-test design was implemented using the End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey and frequency of ACP documentation of surgical intensive care unit providers.

Results

Over the study period, 17 providers reviewed the virtual presentation. The End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey sum score increased significantly from pre-to post-test (P < .001) reflecting increased provider confidence in initiating goals of care conversations. There was also significant increase in ACP documentation from pre-intervention to the third and final monthly cycle.

Discussion

Structured education increased ICU providers confidence in having goals of care conversations and improved the frequency of ACP documentation.