Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA)

Project overview

Delivered by QUT and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, the Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach (PEPA and IPEPA) forms part of the Palliative Care Education and Training Collaborative.  As a national palliative care project, this collaboration takes a strategic approach to education and training of the health workforce and delivers programs for priority health care provider groups across primary, secondary and tertiary settings.

PEPA

PEPA is implemented in all Australian states and territories, providing health professionals with an opportunity to learn from experienced specialist staff and enhance their skills, knowledge and experience in the palliative approach.

PEPA aims to enhance the capacity of health professionals to deliver a palliative care approach through participation in:

• funded clinical placements in specialist palliative care services
• interactive workshops.

IPEPA

IPEPA is a grassroots approach to breaking down the barriers to palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. Informed by the community and for the community, IPEPA embeds Indigenous knowledge across all PEPA resources and facilitates two-way learning dedicated to:

• building the capacity of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to deliver palliative care
• empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with knowledge of palliative care, their rights and local services
• building the culturally responsive capabilities of mainstream service providers to provide holistic and safe palliative care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Outcomes

Currently in its 20^th year, PEPA has supported over 6,000 health professionals to undertake a PEPA placement since the program began in 2003. This includes over 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care providers (9%). Ongoing evaluation of PEPA continues to show that the program is having a positive and sustainable impact on the confidence and skills of health professionals in the delivery of a palliative approach to care, and the strengthening of networks and linkages between generalist and specialist palliative care providers. There is evidence that PEPA placement participants implement a range of strategies to disseminate new knowledge at the local level and implement a range of practice improvement initiatives in the workplace following participation in the program.

Project team

• Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates
  

  Centre Director; Program Lead Palliative Care; Project Director

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• Kate Bath
  

  PEPA National Project Manager

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• Allyra Hulme
  

  IPEPA National Indigenous Program Manager

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• Christy Hunt
  

  ELDAC Workforce Development Program Manager

  christy.​hunt

• Karen Wynne
  

  Learning and Development Coordinator

  karen.​wynne

• Sharon Wetzig
  

  Learning and Development Coordinator

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• David Klug
  

  Senior Research Assistant

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View full PEPA and IPEPA team