To coincide with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (12 October), Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has released the first findings from our recent national workforce survey.
These insights are based on the 1400 responses received to the 'Survey of the National Palliative Care Workforce Across Health and Age Care Settings' which was conducted between May and August this year.
Titled 'Wellbeing in palliative care workforces' this first report is a snapshot of how growing demand for palliative care is being experienced by the health professionals and volunteers who support people in their final months, weeks, and days of life.
Key workforce wellbeing findings:
- Concerningly 44% of specialist palliative care workers and 41% of aged care workers reported experiencing signs of burnout "quite often" or "very often"
- Only 47% of respondents are satisfied with their mental health
- Only 46% of respondents are satisfied with their physical health
- Positively 85% of respondents are interested in receiving further palliative care training
Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, PCA says apart from managing increasing demand and resourcing challenges, navigating end of life on a daily basis is a unique situation.
"There is a natural emotional load that comes with this work; the intensity of the relationships built with patients and their families can be incredibly rewarding and are important - therefore the need for ongoing formal and informal support for staff who work in this space is critical," Ms Rowland says.
"On this of all days, I want to thank and acknowledge the professionals and volunteers who deliver palliative care – you are special people, your skills are valued, and we need to care for you so you can continue to deliver care for others."
A range of self-care tools and ideas can be found at the PCA website.
The survey and these findings are a collaboration between Palliative Care Australia and Winton Research and Insights. Further findings around specific themes will be released in the coming months. Subscribe to PCA's fortnightly eNewsletter to stay up to date.
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