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Presentation Description
Background
There are many paradoxes around care at the end of life, death and dying. We live longer with more information but are often surprised by death. We say we want to die at home but mostly die in hospital. Society is changing with an increasingly digital world, diverse work and family patterns, and greater consumer expectations. Given palliative care is situated within these paradoxes, understanding public attitudes could inform approaches to foster death awareness and preparedness.
There are many paradoxes around care at the end of life, death and dying. We live longer with more information but are often surprised by death. We say we want to die at home but mostly die in hospital. Society is changing with an increasingly digital world, diverse work and family patterns, and greater consumer expectations. Given palliative care is situated within these paradoxes, understanding public attitudes could inform approaches to foster death awareness and preparedness.
Aim
To present a critical reflection on the Dying2Learn program and its contribution to palliative care.
Method
Following an investigation of digital options, a massive open online course (MOOC) platform was chosen. Four modules examining death through the language we use, humour and mourning practices; art, literature, and media representations; the role of medicine in how we die; and the internet’s influence on perceptions of death and dying were developed using a constructivist approach. An evaluation framework utilising system data and self-report data as well as a formal research study was designed.
Following an investigation of digital options, a massive open online course (MOOC) platform was chosen. Four modules examining death through the language we use, humour and mourning practices; art, literature, and media representations; the role of medicine in how we die; and the internet’s influence on perceptions of death and dying were developed using a constructivist approach. An evaluation framework utilising system data and self-report data as well as a formal research study was designed.
Key Findings:
Participation rates exceeded expectations with over 6,000 people enrolling.
Participation rates exceeded expectations with over 6,000 people enrolling.
- Participation rates exceeded expectations with over 6,000 people enrolling.
- MOOC activity data showed high levels of engagement with content and positive course evaluation responses. Pre-post results for Death Attitudinal Statements and for the Coping with Death Scale showed significant increases. Follow up surveys showed participants enacted changes in the real world.
- Dying2Learn provided a mechanism to investigate community perspectives around topical issues including VAD, ACP, death doulas, and Covid-19.
- Digital engagement around palliative care, death and dying is feasible and valuable.
Discussion and Implications
Dying2Learn was a successful and powerful vehicle for public conversations around death and dying as a “part of life”. It provided critical and analytical opportunities to examine community attitudes showing the value of incidental and purposeful data collection.
Acknowledgement
The CareSearch Project developed Dying2Learn. CareSearch is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
The CareSearch Project developed Dying2Learn. CareSearch is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Professor Jennifer Tieman - Flinders University , Ms Deb Rawlings - Flinders University
