Those of us who work in palliative and end of life care know that education is the hallmark of our services. We help individuals and their families by supporting, encouraging and empowering them with information. Education is what we hang our hats on!
Yet when it comes to education for our staff, do we have the same commitment?
Without solid orientation and competencies for the specialty work of palliative and end-of-life care how can a new employee be expected to give quality care? Without continuing education budgets, how do staff increase their knowledge base, enhance their skills or stay current with best practices and research? Does your organization have a culture that encourages or even expects professional development?
The care industry’s product is human powered services. Therefore, it stands to reason that quality of care can only be as good as the quality of the employees providing the service. And for organizational viability in a highly competitive market, employees can be a program’s greatest asset… and greatest liability.
Plain and simple, education is vital to those we serve and essential to those providing services. Staff education is directly linked to quality care.
It’s often heard, “We can’t afford the time and cost of staff development.” Can you afford not to?
End of LIfe Education 