Miss Malena Rudolph1, Dr. Laura Jane Bird2,3, Mika Musgrave-Takeda2,3, Dr. Rachel Everitt2,3, Isabella Hall2,4, Dr. Neil Robinson2,3, Esther Wen2, Jade Hudson2,3, Emmy Trinh2,3, Dr. Scott Reeves2,3, Tanya Dale5, Dr. Catriona Parker4, A/Prof Peter Poon2,3
1School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia, 2Supportive and Palliative Care Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia, 3School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia, 4School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia, 5Regis Healthcare Limited, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Malena Rudolph recently completed a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Monash University, where her thesis examined confidence engaging in sensitive palliative care-related communication tasks, among healthcare professionals (primarily nurses) working in residential aged care. She has a strong interest in applying psychological principles to end-of-life and healthcare settings, aiming to enhance compassionate, person-centred practice. Malena’s research reflects her commitment to improving communication and confidence in challenging clinical situations.
Abstract:
Background:
Effective communication is central to high-quality palliative care. Healthcare professionals in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) frequently report limited confidence for engaging in discussions about sensitive or end-of-life issues with residents and their families. Limited formal communication-related training, lack of mentorship, and high workload pressures further hinder staff confidence and skill development. In response, the Supportive and Palliative Care Unit at Monash Health led the development and implementation of embedding a specialist palliative care clinical nurse consultant (CNC) role within residential in-reach services, to improve palliative care provision and support for RACFs.
Aims:
To investigate the impact of engaging with this new specialist palliative care CNC role on RACF staff confidence in providing palliative care–related communication.
Methods:
Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, staff completed surveys prior to (n = 61) and after a 6-month implementation and evaluation period of the CNC role (n = 22). They rated their confidence in communication-related tasks (e.g., discussing death with residents and their families), alongside perceived usefulness of the CNC role following implementation. Follow-up semi-structured interviews (n = 4, ongoing recruitment) further explored the impact of the CNC role on communication confidence.
Results:
Staff rated the CNC role as highly useful and reported overall improvements in confidence for sensitive palliative care-related communication tasks. Thematic analysis of interviews revealed several factors contributing to increased confidence, including opportunities to observe the CNC modelling effective communication with families, provision of hands-on mentorship, and improved access to expert guidance and education.
Conclusions:
Access to specialist palliative care CNC expertise enhanced RACF staff confidence in managing challenging communication scenarios commonly encountered within the aged care setting. It highlights the importance of integrating specialist palliative care nursing expertise, alongside structured education and skills-based mentoring to promote sustainable improvements in the quality of palliative care communication and delivery.