Background
Incidence of incurable cancer is increasing, consequently also the needs in palliative care (PC) knowledge and education. The major challenge on national level is how to provide enough and appropriate qualified experts to ensure comprehensive PC on all the levels. Many physicians and nurses in our country report that during formal education they do not receive required education in PC, some not even basic knowledge and for that reason many look for unformal educational programs
Aims
The aim of the research was to identify which education programs in PC in our country are available, for whom and for which level of palliative education: basic (undergraduate), advanced and specialist (postgraduate).
Methods
Based on online sources, we analyzed the curricula of the secondary schools, higher schools, faculties for health care, medicine and other faculties where non-health workers are educated (social workers, theologies, etc.). We also collected the data which programs are accessible for advance and postgraduate level.
Results
We found out that there are no clear data for many schools. Most often PC is incorporated in related subjects that lecturer covers (geriatric, pain treatment…), and do not present independent subject. PC is usually presented as an elective or optional subject. At the postgraduate education, master’s study PC program is implemented at one College of Nursing. We do not have a specialization PC program for any expert groups. Advance knowledge are provided under the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia (from 2018; 120 hours; for nurses) and mostly under Slovenian Medical Association (from 2011, 60 + 40 hours; multidisciplinary team program). Some non-governmental organizations and societies provided skills in special skills like bereavement and spiritual support.
Conclusions
Lack of knowledge leads to resistance to work with PC patient. More efforts are needed for PC integration in a formal education programs but lifelong learning, including in-fomal, is also important. Further investigation is urgent, to promote implementation of PC education according to the current needs in our environment.