Effect of end-of-life care education on perceived self-efficacy of the pediatric respiratory therapist

BACKGROUND: End-of-life care (EoLC) is difficult for respiratory therapists (RTs), causing struggles with providing EoLC and grief during and after the death. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine if EoLC education can increase RTs’ perception of knowledge of EoLC, respiratory therapy as a valuable EoLC service, comfort providing EoLC, and knowledge of ways to deal with grief. METHODS: One hundred and thirty pediatric RTs completed a 1 h EoLC education session. Afterwards, a single-centre descriptive survey was administered to the 60 volunteers out of the 130 attendees. To determine RTs’ self-rated change in knowledge of EoLC, perception of respiratory therapy as a valuable EoLC service, comfort with EoLC, and knowledge of ways to cope with grief. Statistical analysis included percent change. RESULTS: Overall, 96% of surveyed RTs agree they had an increase in knowledge, perception of RT services, comfort with providing care, and coping. Only 4% felt that this course had little benefit overall but still perceived value in RT EoLC and increased knowledge of long- and short-term ways to deal with grief. CONCLUSION: Education on EoLC practices increased pediatric RTs’ perception of knowledge, perceived value of respiratory therapy in EoLC, comfort with EoLC, and knowledge of coping resources.