Formative research for the nationwide promotion of a multidisciplinary community-based educational program on end-of-life care

Although one of the most important missions of end-of-life education is to ensure proper inter-professional education (IPE), in Japan, end-of-life care IPE has not been given enough attention especially in community settings. This study aims at developing an effective workshop facilitator training program on end-of-life care IPE and acquiring the know-how to set up and efficiently run administrative offices. We first developed a tentative facilitation training program and conducted it in five cities nationwide. The training strategy was as follows: (1) participating in the workshop, (2) attending a lecture on facilitation, (3) conducting a preparatory study, (4) attending one workshop session as a facilitator, and (5) reflecting on one’s attitude as a facilitator based on workshop participants’ questionnaire, peer-feedback, and video recording. A total of 10 trainees completed the training program. We assessed the level of improvement in the trainees’ facilitation skills and the efficacy of the training course using a qualitative approach. This formative study helped us identify several aspects needing improvement, especially in the areas of information technology and social media. Progress in these areas may have a positive impact on the education of community health care professionals whose study hours are limited, helping provide continued facilitation training.