Clearly articulate the purpose and goals of the training initiative:

  • What are the patient care priorities driving the education initiative?
  • What are the desired clinical practice changes?
  • Which education gaps need to be filled?
  • Explain why specific training topics are encouraged by role
  • Tie the initiative to available data:
    • Clinician-reported comfort level related to care of patients with serious illness
    • Patient satisfaction or experience scores
    • Clinical outcome measures

Use language that resonates with clinicians and aligns with their challenges, goals and practice styles. Topic- or solution-focused messaging (symptom management, goals of care, orientation) attracts engagement more than general messages about “helpful” palliative care resources. Emphasize:

  • Fewer distressing conversations with patients and families
  • Continuing education credits and maintenance of certification points
  • Expected improvements in job satisfaction/competence

Make it as easy as possible for providers to take the online courses:

  • Provide pre-selected learning pathways with hyperlinks
  • Widely (and regularly) share instructions for creating user accounts, and CAPC contact info for questions

Support and reinforce the training messages in provider network communications:

  • Schedule a virtual session so providers can learn as a group and discuss their responses
  • Embed a case discussion based on the courses into standing meetings
  • Include the training initiative and its progress in:
    • Quality management progress reports
    • Joint Operating Committee meetings
    • Newsletters/Emails/Flyers

Be transparent about progress, and create a sense of joint accountability and accomplishment:

  • Share training completion reports
  • Create friendly competition with contests and prizes
  • Celebrate the completion of required coursework and/or CAPC designations

Engage champions within the practice:

  • Identify the person/people whose goals will be furthered by the completion of the training, ideally with the authority to implement training innovation
  • Identify those in the organization who are passionate about improving patient quality of life, and who have formal or informal authority in the organization

Get the latest updates in your inbox!