Training Program for Depression in Palliative Care
Author Information
Author(s): Hallford David J, McCabe Marita P, Mellor David, Davison Tanya E, Goldhammer Denisa L, George Kuruvilla, Storer Shane
Primary Institution: Deakin University
Hypothesis
Palliative care staff who undertake the depression training program will report higher post-training levels of knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy and lower perceived barriers in relation to identifying and working with depressed patients compared to pre-training levels.
Conclusion
The study aims to validate a training program that improves staff recognition of depression and increases appropriate referrals for depressed patients and their families.
Supporting Evidence
- Depression is highly prevalent in palliative care settings, with rates of detection and treatment being low.
- Non-physician palliative care staff are in a good position to improve care for depressed patients.
- The training program is based on previous successful interventions in aged care settings.
Takeaway
This study is about teaching caregivers how to better help patients with depression, which is very common in people receiving palliative care.
Methodology
A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with pre-, post-, and three-month follow-up data collected from palliative care staff to assess the impact of the training program.
Limitations
The study does not collect data directly from patients due to the sensitive nature of the research.
Participant Demographics
Non-physician professional care staff from both hospital-based and community-based palliative care settings.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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