Virtual Education Program to Increase Early Identification and Provider Competency: The CAPACITI Randomized Trial (RP110)

Outcomes 1. Understand the results of a national randomized trial of a virtual palliative care education program, examining whether those self-directed vs. facilitated delivery methods had similar outcomes.2. To compare learner outcomes of changes in identification of caseload with palliative care needs, on palliative care competencies, and on interprofessional collaboration. Key Message The CAPACITI randomized trial showed that the virtual program improved self-assessed palliative care identification and provider confidence in key competencies, regardless of whether the education delivery was self-directed or facilitated. Importance Standardized palliative care education programs that are taught virtually are becoming more common. Whether self-directed education versus facilitated sessions make a difference in health care provider learner outcomes is not well known. We conducted a large, national, randomized trial in primary care interprofessional teams examining whether outcomes varied by self-directed or facilitated delivery methods. Objective(s) CAPACITI is a virtual training program for health care professionals that teaches practical tips to provide a palliative approach to care. The program consists of twelve 1-hour sessions, divided across three modules: (1) Identify and Assess; (2) Enhance Communication Skills; (3) Enhance Skills for Ongoing Care. We will report findings from the three modules. Scientific Methods Utilized A randomized controlled trial evaluating two modes of CAPACITI program delivery: 1) self-directed learning (only online materials); and 2) facilitated learning (live webinars and discussion). Outcomes included: 1) Percent of patients identified as requiring palliative care (past 3 months), 2) Timing of reported initiation of palliative care, and 2) Self-reported palliative care competency (End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey [EPCS] / CAPACITI Competency Survey). Analyses consisted of differences between intervention groups in pre/post paired comparisons and examination of covariates. Results Of the 566 participants across Canada that enrolled in CAPACITI, 380 (67%) completed Module 1 and 230 (41%) completed the full program (Modules 1-3). Participants represented diverse interprofessional backgrounds. At baseline, 295 providers (paired pre/post) reported identifying 4009 patients requiring palliative care, compared to 5358 patients following the intervention, an increase of 1349 patients (7.2 percentage points on average). Although there was a significant increase in patients identified overall (Paired Sample T-Test, p< 0.001), no difference was found between the self-directed and facilitated groups, post intervention (GLM, p=0.3). Providers’ EPCS competencies improved overall (Paired T, p< 0.001), with no significant difference between the groups (Cochran–Armitage trend test, p=0.27). Conclusion(s) CAPACITI improved self-assessed palliative care identification and provider confidence in key competencies, regardless of whether the education delivery was self-directed or facilitated. Impact : The results of this trial will inform how best to design future education programs, particularly virtual programs with discussion and facilitation. Understanding best methods for learners to identify palliative care needs earlier will enhance quality of care. Keywords Educational, training and supervision/Interdisciplinary Teamwork/Professionalism