Abstract
Background. The training in palliative care that health professionals receive is inadequate. An aging population, changing systems of health care delivery, and the debate about euthanasia and physician‐assisted suicide increase the importance of ongoing education about palliative care. Methods. Three modules are offered by the University of California, Davis, West Coast Center for Palliative Education (WCCPE). Module 1, offered on‐site, blends didactic and field learning using lectures, case studies, patient contact, and role modeling. Module 2 programs, held off‐site, are customized in collaboration with the sponsor to address local needs and concerns. This module emphasizes group discussion and problem solving. Module 3 trains health care and custody staff and volunteer inmates at correctional facilities. Inmate training focuses on developing communication skills and a capacity to empathize through experiential exercises, dialog, and role‐playing. Results. Off‐site training significantly improved self‐assessed knowledge about pain management and attitudes towards end‐of‐life care. Qualitative measures showed enhanced care‐delivery skills for participants in all three modules. Conclusions. Palliative care education can be enhanced when delivered close to the point of care using multimodal techniques that influence attitudes as well as knowledge.