Training and development grant - case study

Palliative Care Occupational Therapist Carla White earns an A pass putting her in prime position to share learning with colleagues and peers

From time to time, Fife Health Charity are able to support individuals willing to undertake advanced study programmes to benefit patient care.  This was the case with Palliative Care Occupational Therapist Carla White who undertook a MSc module in palliative care – Building Therapeutic Relationships with patients in palliative care with the help of Fife Health Charity.

By participating in this module, it has been possible to further enhance the service provided by the specialist team to patients, families, carers and the wider palliative care team.  
Carla, who earned an A pass, has shared her learning and reflections on the use of advanced communication skills and person-centred intervention approaches with the palliative OT team and MDT colleagues. 

In addition, she has shared learning resources and knowledge, her understanding of individual patient narratives,  effective implementation of national clinical guidelines as a multi-disciplinary team in practice, and the value of non-pharmacological management of symptoms and complex psycho-social needs of patients and their families. 

In an area which requires meticulous and sensitive assessment to understand the patient and family experiences of illness, we congratulate Carla on her achievement and ongoing work in this area which strategically aligns with Fife Health Charity’s goal to improve patient experience.