A Novel Use of Peer Coaching to Teach Primary Palliative Care Skills: Coaching Consultation.

BACKGROUND: We aim to address palliative care workforce shortages by teaching clinicians how to provide primary palliative care through peer coaching.

INTERVENTION: We offered peer coaching to internal medicine residents and hospitalists (attendings, nurse practioners, and physician assistants).

MEASURES: An audit of peer coaching encounters and coachee feedback to better understand the applicability of peer coaching in the inpatient setting to teach primary palliative care.

OUTCOMES: Residents and hospitalist attendings participated in peer coaching for a broad range of palliative care-related questions about pain and symptom management (44%), communication (34%), and hospice (22%). Clinicians billed for 68% of encounters using a time-based billing model. Content analysis of coachee feedback identified that the most useful elements of coaching are easy access to expertise, tailored teaching, and being in partnership.

CONCLUSION/LESSONS LEARNED: Peer coaching can be provided in the inpatient setting to teach primary palliative care and potentially extend the palliative care work force.