Replicating a Collaborative Partnership Model in providing a Sustainable Palliative Care Program to the Community

Abstract

Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) is a relatively new sub-specialty in Malaysia. Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM) under the Division of Community & Industry Network (DICN) has initiated a
community engagement and collaborative project with the Foundation for Disabled People in
Kelantan (YOKUK) from 2012 through knowledge transfer training programme. The service
focuses on an outreach and holistic PPC approach for pediatric oncology and life-limiting
illnesses patients. The aim was to provide multidimensional care including needs assessment;
nursing and personal care; support programme; psychosocial and bereavement support in the
community. The knowledge transfer programme starts by disseminating palliative care
knowledge to targeted health care professional; training of staffs for community work; preparing
parents of children with life limiting illnesses with adequate information; facilitating access to
medical care and educating the public on care at end of life issues with compassion. This is a
novel university-led programme in an untapped and under resourced area by collaboration with
the non-governmental party thus creating a viable and expanded outreach services to the
community. Other sustainable success was the involvement of students as volunteers,
formation of parental support group and availability of modular workshop for references. The
next step is to provide a joint venture replication of the model in the planned state such as
Terengganu to ensure sustainable outcome of PPC service outside Kelantan.