Case study:

02 March 2011

Brunel masterclass for allied health professionals working with older people at the end of life

Key points

A masterclass was held at Brunel University in November 2010 to examine the challenges and opportunities for allied health professionals working with older people at the end of life.

Entitled Is dying well part of everyday living? the event was funded and organised by Brunel Institute of Ageing Studies (BIAS) and attended by occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy practitioners working in a variety of health and social care services.

The programme, which included presentations on palliative care and end of life care policy and three short presentations on end of life care from the perspective of occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, was very well received by participants. Most said they found it useful or extremely useful and 95% said it met or exceeded their expectations.

Several participants commented on the value of having discussions with other allied health professionals which gave them the opportunity to hear different views and learn about other options.

Multidisciplinary group work was also a key part of the day. Each group was asked to consider the integration of a palliative approach with a rehabilitative approach to meet the needs of older people more effectively. They were also asked to consider how this could be evidenced and supported.

In response to the first question participants emphasised, among other things, the importance of a person-centred approach, the need for education to change perceptions and for advance care planning and good communication – with individuals and between agencies.

In response to the second question participants stressed the importance of sharing good practice by publishing what they had done and also doing after death analyses using a reflective approach.

Participants were also asked to suggest ideas for future sessions. Suggestions included:

• Working with older people with dementia and at the end of life
• Developing research in this area
• The different frameworks and models used in end of life care, such as Gold Standards Framework, Liverpool Care Pathway and Preferred Priorities for Care
• Wider multidisciplinary team working (to include doctors and specialist palliative care nurses).

The Brunel team is now planning follow-up study days to support and facilitate change and best practice. The focus of the study days will be based on participants’ suggestions from their evaluations.