Feasibility, Acceptability, and Education of Pediatric Oncology Providers Before and After an Embedded Pediatric Palliative Oncology Clinic

PURPOSE: Most pediatric palliative care (PPC) education is trainee-directed, didactic, or simulation-based and therefore limited in scope, realism, and audience. We explored whether an embedded pediatric palliative oncology (PPO) clinic is associated with improved pediatric oncology provider palliative care comfort, knowledge, and attitudes toward PPC and if the model is feasible for both clinical care and education of providers of all levels. METHODS: Oncology providers (oncologists, advanced practice providers, and fellows) were enrolled in this study. Based on interaction with the PPO clinic, two cohorts were defined: PPO providers (n = 11, 37.9%) and non-PPO providers (n = 18, 62.1%). Providers in both groups responded to qualitative and quantitative questionnaires about the feasibility and acceptability of PPO clinic, their attitudes toward PPC, and knowledge and comfort in PPC concepts at baseline and 1 year. Descriptive statistics were performed; demographic and outcome variables across cohorts by PPO grouping and experience were compared. RESULTS: All 29 pediatric oncology providers reported acceptability of a PPO clinic and favorable attitudes about PPC. The most feasible clinic model was oncology followed by PPO visits. Non-PPO group and less experienced (<= 10 years) providers had greater improvement in knowledge and comfort with PPC skills than PPO group or more experienced providers. Providers lacked comfort in non-pain symptom management skills. CONCLUSION: This embedded PPO clinic model was feasible, acceptable, and highly rated by responding oncology clinicians, but was insufficient as a sole method of educating multidisciplinary oncology providers. Methods of combining clinical and formal education are needed to impart sustained educational change.