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This study used a single-group pre-test and post-test design to evaluate an educational workshop for multidisciplinary staff working in long-term care homes on implementing a palliative approach to care and perceptions about advanced care planning conversations. Two outcomes were measured to assess the preliminary efficacy of the educational workshop at baseline and 1-month post-intervention. Knowledge regarding implementing a palliative approach to care was assessed using the End-of-Life Professional Caregivers Survey and changes in staff perception toward ACP conversations were assessed using the Staff Perceptions Survey. Findings suggest that staff experienced an improvement in self-reported knowledge regarding a palliative approach to care ( p ≤ .001); and perceptions of knowledge, attitude, and comfort related to advance care planning discussions ( p ≤ .027). The results indicate that educational workshops can assist in improving multidisciplinary staff’s knowledge about a palliative approach to care and comfort in carrying out advance care planning discussions with residents, family care partners, and among long-term care staff.

Background Long-term care (LTC) homes have been disproportionately impacted during COVID-19. Purpose To explore the perspectives of stakeholders across Canada around implementing a palliative approach in LTC home during COVID-19. Methods Qualitative, descriptive design using one-to-one or paired semi-structured interviews. Results Four themes were identified: (1) the influence of the pandemic on implementing a palliative approach, (2) families are an essential part of implementing a palliative approach, (3) prioritizing advance care planning (ACP) and goals of care (GoC) discussions in anticipation of the overload of deaths and (4) COVID-19 highlighting the need for a palliative approach as well as several subthemes. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the implementation of a palliative approach to care, where many LTC homes faced an overwhelming number of deaths and restricted the presence of family members. A more concentrated focus on home-wide ACP and GoC conversations and the need for a palliative approach to care in LTC were identified.

Background: Queen’s University (Ontario, Canada) has been offering the Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) - a subsidized work opportunity for university undergraduate students - since 1995. The Queen’s University Nursing and Health Research Internship program, established in May 2017, involves nursing SWEP students. The program was designed to build research knowledge and experience for nursing students. The aim of this article is to describe the program components, and intern and faculty insights.Methods: To obtain feedback from current and past interns and faculty, an electronic survey was distributed. Data were analyzed for common themes.Results: Themes consolidated from interns (n = 4) included challenges as learning opportunities, new perspectives on research, and successes and opportunities. Themes that emerged from faculty (n = 7) were program challenges and successes, and needs and concerns of interns.Conclusions: Overall, interns and faculty members perceived the program as a valuable learning experience. Suggestions for program development and potential changes are discussed from both an intern and faculty perspective. Further recommendations for program development are explored, with potential changes for future offerings.