Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Specialized healthcare facilities for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients require professionals with comprehensive knowledge of disease management and palliative care. This intervention study evaluated a blended learning program for healthcare professionals (n = 117) at five newly established PD care facilities in Japan. METHODS: The program integrated theoretical education, active learning, and role-playing exercises. Outcomes were evaluated by scores on self-rated knowledge and confidence in palliative care for PD patients, End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey (EPCS), and Team STEPPS Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire. RESULTS: The scores for self-rated knowledge of palliative care increased from 3.36 to 5.28, and confidence improved from 3.79 to 5.05 (p < 0.001). Although overall teamwork attitudes remained stable, situation-monitoring skills improved (p = 0.045). The EPCS total score increased from 2.36 to 2.55 (p < 0.001), with improvements in all subscales. Multiple regression analysis revealed that pre-intervention knowledge (β = 0.586, p < 0.001) and professional role were associated with improvement of post-intervention knowledge scores. Notably, professional physiotherapists showed higher improvements than care management workers (β = 1.995, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The blended learning program, combining theoretical education, active learning, and role-playing exercises, effectively enhanced the palliative care competencies of healthcare professionals in PD care facilities. Future studies should examine the long-term retention of these competencies and their impact on patient care outcomes.