Purpose: Current research supports favorable outcomes resulting from online continuing medical education, as well as a perceived lack of training in palliative care by practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Therefore, this investigation aimed to determine the effectiveness of online palliative care training on medical SLPs’ levels of knowledge and comfort. Method: In this multiple baseline across participants (MBAP) method, ten participants completed online training modules provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). An electronic visual analog scale (eVAS) was used to collect their ratings of knowledge and comfort. Seven intervention modules were completed asynchronously, with knowledge and comfort measured across each session. A follow-up phase was utilized to determine if gains would be maintained three weeks after intervention. Results: Nine of ten participants experienced statistically significant improvements in knowledge, which were maintained through the follow-up phase. Eight of ten participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in comfort, which were maintained through the follow-up phase. Conclusion: To date, no other published investigations have examined the effect of online palliative care training on medical SLPs. This investigation provides evidence that online, asynchronous continuing education for medical SLPs can improve self-perceived knowledge and comfort in palliative care.
