36 How can technology be used to support communication in palliative care beyond the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

IntroductionThe need for palliative care is expected to increase globally due to a number of socioeconomic factors,1 therefore it is essential for society to use technology better to improve palliative care.2AimsThis project looks to identify learning beyond the COVID19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (UK), highlighting knowledge and skills required to support healthcare professionals to adopt technology to support communication.MethodAn electronic survey was developed consisting of a maximum of 36 multiple choice and free text response questions gathering demographic information and covering three themed areas: Communication within the multidisciplinary team, use of technology for education and using technology to support communication with patients and carers.ResultsThe survey received 234 responses from palliative care healthcare professionals across the UK, with 97% of respondents reporting that they have used technology to support communication more since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic. Responses have highlighted several benefits of using technology to support communication in these areas, whilst providing greater understanding of the barriers that exist.ConclusionOur work has shown that there is an increasing use of technology to support communication in palliative care. It is essential that organisations acknowledge and adapt to this change in order for healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care by improving access and quality of palliative care services.ImpactThis work highlights areas of improvement needed to allow healthcare professionals to use technology to support communication. If used well, this can improve the scope of palliative care delivery in the future.References Bone AE, Gomes B, Etkind SN, et al. What is the impact of population ageing on the future provision of end-of-life care? Population-based projections of place of death. Palliative Medicine 2017;32(2):329–36. doi:10.1177/0269216317734435 Nwosu AC, Collins B, Mason S. Big data analysis to improve care for people living with serious illness: the potential to use new emerging technology in palliative care. Palliative Medicine 2018;32(1):164–66. doi:10.1177/0269216317726250