Educational needs in palliative care among Health and psychosocial care professionals in Croatia

Background: The palliative care for individuals with life￾threatening illnesses and their families involves complex, ongoing interventions that require specific competencies

from both professionals and volunteers. In Croatia, the White Paper of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) on education and core competencies has served as a key framework for training programs. Despite its broad application, variations in curricula and training approaches remain, underscoring the importance of adapting education to the specific needs of learners.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the educational needs in palliative care among nurses, physicians, psychologists, and social workers in order to develop training programs or modules tailored to the actual needs of these professionals.

Methods: Qualitative research was conducted in 2024 in the County of Međimurje, Croatia. Four focus groups were organised with each group representing a different

profession: 8 nurses, 4 psychologists, 6 social workers and 6 general practitioners. All the participants worked in general palliative care services. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Two main themes emerged from the focus groups: 1) Challenges in working with patients and families facing life-threatening illness, and 2) Strengthening competencies through education. Key areas for improvement included communication, decision-making, coping with death and bereavement, and identifying palliative care needs. Healthcare professionals also highlighted pain management and self-care. Social workers emphasized family dynamics, while psychologists focused on bereavement and end-of-life support.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for structured and targeted educational programs in palliative care, adapted to the distinct roles and responsibilities of various professionals. Emphasis should be placed on enhancing communication skills, addressing ethical dilemmas, and strengthening psychosocial competencies to ensure comprehensive and compassionate care.