Open AccessNordic Specialist Course in Palliative Medicine: Evaluation and Impact on the Development of Palliative Medicine in the Nordic Countries: A Survey among Participants from Seven Courses 2003–2017
Author(s) -
Valgerður Sigurðardóttir,
CarlMagnus Edenbrandt,
Outi Hirvonen,
Bodil Abild Jespersen,
Dagny Faksvåg Haugen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of palliative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.986
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-6218
pISSN - 1557-7740
DOI - 10.1089/jpm.2021.0310
Subject(s) - medicine , family medicine , palliative care , guideline , medical education , nursing , pathology
Background: The five Nordic Associations for palliative medicine (PM) have since 2003 organized a common specialist course for six weeks in two years. Aim: To describe the course: participants, evaluations, impact on participants' careers, and on the development of PM in the Nordic countries. Methods: Information on participants taken from the course archive and national registries. A web survey sent to graduates from the courses 2003-2013 ( n = 150) and 2013-2017 ( n = 72). Results: Mean age at course start was 46.9 years; 66% were women. Mean overall evaluation score 5.7 (range 5.4-6.0, max 7.0). Survey response rate 84% ( n = 186); 80% of respondents were working in PM, the majority as leaders, >90% engaged in teaching PM. About 40% were active in PM associations, lobbying, and guideline development. Conclusion: The Nordic Specialist Course in PM has had a profound impact on the participants' postcourse careers, influencing the development of PM in the Nordic countries.