Implementation of an Undergraduate Medical Education Course in Global Health Based on the Consortium of Universities for Global Health Core Competencies: A Pilot Program

: 2.076_HHR Palliative Care Practices of Community Health Workers and Professional Nurses in Limpopo Province, South Africa C. Campbell, L. Ware, J. Stueve, M.K. O’Brien; University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA Background: Palliative care is an interprofessional model of care used to guide end-of-life care for people in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness of any type and their care persons. Little is known about palliative care interventions used by community health workers (CHWs) and professional nurses (PNs) in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. The specific aims of our research were to 1) to identify palliative care interventions used by professional nurses and CHWs in Limpopo Province, South Africa to promote dignified dying and 2) to identify the interventions that are most important to promote dignified dying by professional nurses and CHWs in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: The study was conducted in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Guided by an interview guide, data were collected from individual interviews and focus groups. Researcher’s field notes were also sources of data. Data were analyzed for themes related to palliative care interventions used by the PNs and CHWs. Findings: Twelve people participated in the study (10 CHWs and 2 PNs). The mean age of all participants was 43 years old. All participants in the study were female and identified Venda as their cultural group affiliation. The mean years of experience 10.7 years and 38.5 years for the CHWs and PNs, respectively. Of the participants involved in the study, 90% of them worked for non-governmental organizations, and 10% worked for the South African Department of Health in Limpopo Province, Vhembe district. Five common palliative care interventions were identified: providing comfort (emotional, physical), caring for the human spirit of patients (Ubuntu), advocating for adults and giving voice to bereaved children, providing direct care, and caring for self. Interpretation: CHWs and PNs were able to identify palliative care interventions consistent within their scope of practice. In every interview and focus group, CHWs and PNs also requested palliative care-specific training to support their work. Future studies should identify palliative care interventions and learning needs of CHWs and PNs in different regions within the province. Source of Funding: University of Virginia (UVa) Center for Global Health K.C. Graham UVa School of Nursing. Abstract #: 2.077_HHR: 2.077_HHR Impact of Implementing an Electronic Medical Record on an International Medical Mission J.B. Weeks, J. Hickman, M. Ryan; VCU school of medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA, VCU School of Medicine, Merrifield, USA, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA Background: Short Term Medical Trips (STMT) are vital in bringing healthcare to underserved communities. When they become established providers an accessible medical record keeping