Table 1

Palliative care education and training needs for nursing (n=171) and medical (n=80) staff

	n	%
Nursing staff: previous training received
No prior training in palliative care received within previous 5 years	84	49.1
General study days	25	14.6
LCP	18	10.5
University course	17	9.9
Previously worked in specialist palliative care setting	12	7.0
Syringe driver	4	2.3
Communication skills training	1	0.6
Other	6	3.5
No response	4
Nursing staff: training would like to receive
General training in palliative care	39	22.8
Use of medication	27	15.8
LCP	15	8.8
Communication skills/breaking bad news/bereavement counselling	11	6.4
Psychological/emotional/spiritual issues	4	2.3
When to initiate palliative care	3	1.8
None required/No response	72	42.1
Medical staff: previous training received
As part of undergraduate training	28	35.0
General training post registration	11	13.8
Previously worked in specialist palliative care setting	10	12.5
Medication/symptom management	2	2.5
LCP	2	2.5
Communication skills training	1	1.2
No response	19	23.8
Medical staff: training would like to receive
Medications	18	22.5
General training	14	17.5
LCP	7	8.8
Initiating palliative care and who needs it	4	5.0
What services exist and are available locally	3	3.8
Communication	1	1.3
None required/No response	26	32.5