Specialty Trainees’ Understanding of End-of-Life Care Symptom Management and End-of-Life Care Pathway: A Quantitative and Qualitative Pilot Study

Introduction: Lack of knowledge of end-of-life care pathway (EOLCP) and misconceptions about opioid use are detrimental toproviding quality care to patients with life-limiting diseases. This study aims to use the mixed-method to assess the level of specialty trainees’ perceptions regarding EOLCP and symptom management in the Australian context. Methods: A total of 31 accredited college trainees in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency medicine, anaesthesia as well as physician trainees who had been rotated to palliative care were recruited for the questionnaire. A total of 12 subjects were recruited for the individual interview. Results and Discussion: Both quantitative and qualitative data suggested that participants showed a basic understanding of EOLCP and symptom control. Most participants were generally comfortable with opioid use. They were able to recognize the priorities of end-oflife care and common opioid-related side effects. However, additional education on probability of serious side effects related to opioids, opioid rotation, opioid dosage calculation and prophylactic medications, were suggested. Large-scale studies should be conducted to explore the adequacy of end-of-life care education within specific specialty, other potential factors on practice of EOLCP and opioid use, as well as more effective education strategies in the Australian context.