The Development and Preliminary Evaluation of the “SPA-LTC Voices” Video Series as a Means of Articulating a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care Settings

Abstract

Palliative care has earned its place as a respected approach to medicine that focuses on quality of life, symptom management, a team approach, and family involvement, typically following the diagnosis of a life-limiting illness. To improve health equity, it is important to encourage the adaptation of palliative care practice and philosophy beyond hospices and within a range of care settings. To support further adaptation in long-term care, our research team Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long-Term Care (SPA-LTC) created the video education resource “SPA-LTC Voices” to explore what a palliative approach entails in a long-term care context and to dispel persistent myths about palliative care. After consulting with palliative care experts and family caregivers, we designed a four-part series using a storytelling approach (i.e., presenting accounts of lived experience) within a three-act narrative structure (i.e., setup, tension, and resolution). We then employed an embedded intervention mixed methods design to pilot-test the acceptability of the video series and the outcome of knowledge transfer during structured interviews with 16 participants, who were either family caregivers (12) or healthcare providers (4). Integrated qualitative and quantitative findings confirmed potential for positive impact on knowledge transfer across both audiences, including an improved understanding of the values and practices involved in palliative care. Integrated findings also confirmed high acceptability of the narrative format and the diversity of the storytellers. Overall, this pilot research suggests that the “SPA-LTC Voices” video series holds promise as a tool to support education within long-term care settings.