@article {Selman231, author = {Lucy Selman and Vicky Robinson and Lara Klass and Shaheen Khan and Rob George and Kate Shepherd and Rachel Burman and Jonathan Koffman}, title = {Improving confidence and competence of healthcare professionals in end-of-life care: an evaluation of the {\textquoteleft}Transforming End of Life Care{\textquoteright} course at an acute hospital trust}, volume = {6}, number = {2}, pages = {231--236}, year = {2016}, doi = {10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-000879}, publisher = {British Medical Journal Publishing Group}, abstract = {Background UK policymakers, clinicians and public wish to see improvements in end-of-life care (EoLC). However, healthcare professionals{\textquoteright} skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality care are often lacking. Since May 2012, palliative care staff in an inner-city tertiary hospital have run a 2-day Transforming End of Life Care (TEoLC) course to improve EoLC confidence, and competence among hospital and community staff.Aim To evaluate course participants{\textquoteright} self-rated confidence, competence and knowledge of EoLC topics.Evaluation design A before-and-after design using self-completion questionnaires, precourse and postcourse. 14 self-assessment questions examined confidence, understanding and knowledge of EoLC topics. Mean change scores and paired t tests were calculated and free-text responses analysed thematically.Participants 236 staff members completed the course between May 2012 and April 2014. 42\% worked in hospitals and 55\% in the community; the most frequent staff roles were qualified nurses (49\%), senior nurses (16\%) and general practitioners (15\%).Results All 14 self-assessment topics improved significantly (p\<0.001); most improved was {\textquoteleft}understanding and implementing Fast Track discharge{\textquoteright}. Qualitative data showed increased knowledge and confidence in EoLC, particularly in communication, commitment to team work and holistic care. Overall, 217 (92\%) participants would recommend the course and 215 (98\%) indicated it would influence their practice.Conclusions The TEoLC course improved participants{\textquoteright} self-rated confidence, competence and knowledge in EoLC. Findings have utility beyond the UK in light of the international policy recommendations to improve the palliative care skills of generalist healthcare providers.}, issn = {2045-435X}, URL = {https://spcare.bmj.com/content/6/2/231}, eprint = {https://spcare.bmj.com/content/6/2/231.full.pdf}, journal = {BMJ Supportive \& Palliative Care} }