The Praecox Program: Pilot testing of an online educational program to improve neonatal palliative care practice

The aim of this study was to develop and pilot test the first module of an educational program. Titled the Praecox Program its objective was to optimise palliative care to the neonate and their families through an evidence-knowledge-based education program for clinicians. The setting was a tertiary level hospital in South-east Queensland, Australia.Pilot testing of this first module demonstrated that an educational intervention resulted in positive changes in both 'knowledge' and 'attitude' among participants. Feedback was also obtained from participants regarding opportunities to improve the module and desire to participate in future modules.This pilot study supports the notion that evidence-knowledge-based education for neonatal palliative care has the potential to improve clinician confidence, through an increase in knowledge and positive attitudes toward neonatal palliative care delivery.