Competency Framework Of Palliative Medicine For Geriatricians

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Despite a great interface between palliative care (PC) and geriatrics, there are currently no curriculum proposals of palliative medicine (PM) competencies for geriatricians in Brazil. Thus, the aim was to develop a competency framework of palliative medicine for geriatricians (CFPMG), especially for those under training. METHOD: The first phase consisted of preparing a pilot framework. To reach a consensus, geriatricians with expertise in the field of PM from all Brazilian regions were invited to express their opinions on the competencies listed in the pilot framework. A modified Delphi method was used in the 2nd and 3rd phases to obtain a consensus (level of agreement greater than 50% and 80%, respectively). Finally, a public consultation phase was conducted in the 21st Brazilian Congress on Geriatrics and Gerontology, and via Brazilian National Academy of Palliative Care website. RESULTS: Nineteen experts in PM and geriatrics evaluated the CFPMG. The level of agreement in all thematic areas was greater than that required, except for palliative sedation (20% of disagreement). The CFPMG concluded with 13 thematic areas and 105 competencies, including 11 prerequisite, 52 core, 24 desirable, and 18 advanced competencies. CONCLUSION: The defined competency framework of PC may be integrated into medical education, specifically into geriatric medicine training. Our suggestion is that residency programs in geriatrics provide training at least in the core competencies from the proposed thematic areas, thereby strengthening PC education homogeneously across the country.

Keywords

• competency-based education
• palliative care
• geriatrics