New resources to help staff caring for residents at the end of life

Tieman JJ, Dicker R, Hayman S

PCNSW Nov 2012

RAC and End of Life• Residential aged care in Australia

– 185,000 places– 2,760 facilities– 50,000 deaths in 2010/11

• Policy Emphasis– Living Better, Living Longer– National Palliative Care Strategy– Dementia as priority health area

• Challenges in care– Comorbidities (Dementia)– Resourcing and workforce

Why a Hub?• Hubs

– Discrete set of content and resources reflect specific context of a particular group

• Recognises RAC engagement in EOL care

• Relationship to evidence

• Online (24/7)

• Success of previous hubs– GP, Nurses

Development Processes

• Needs

• Partners

• Content Development

• Pre-Post Marketing

• Hub Production

• Evaluation

Partnerships• Partners

– National Advisory Group– Working Group– RAC Search Filter Group– Feedback Providers – Reviewers

• Ensure clinical/functional utility

Issues in development

• Size and expectations of the sector

• Diversity of potential users

• Acknowledging RAC environment and areas of expertise

• Evidence based practice in this context

• Starting not finishing

Hub Content• People working in RAC; • Care Issues; • Facility and Quality Issues; • Recognising Resident’s Concerns; • Communication; • For Residents and Families;• Resources and Tools; and• News and Events

RAC Search Filter• RAC Search Filter Advisory Group

• Development Process– Gold Standard– Term Selection– Search Testing– Post hoc relevance

• PubMed Translation

– Open access, free to use– Hyperlinking for one click searching

Building Awareness• Project News during development• Invitations to participate/feedback• Associated work/Cross promotion• Launch

– Ambassador for Ageing(Also Minister for Ageing)

– Held in a RACF– Release day announcements– Launch pack

Supporting engagement

• Communications strategy

• RAC Promotional materials

• DVDs

• My Learning module

• RAC newsletter

Conclusion• Hub recognises role and realities of

RAC and EoL

• Processes involved working with RAC

• Encouraging access and learning

CareSearch would like to thank the many people who contribute their time and expertise to the project including members of the National Advisory Group and the Knowledge Network Management Group.

CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

www.caresearch.com.au