The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a training program for graduate students(GS) of certified graduate schools of clinical psychology and clinical psychologists(CP) working in palliative care settings in Japan.
The program was a two-day workshop including sessions of a preliminary group work (2 hours), case report and their discussions (5.5 hours), a lecture (1 hour) and closing group work(2 hours). 24 GS and 52 CP participated in the program. Pre- and post-questionnaire were administered to 76 participants and were retuned by 24 GS(100%) and 50 CP(96.2%). The questionnaire covered expectancy, needs and evaluation about the program, and demographic information. The results showed some differences between GS and CP. GS' most needs to the program was to learn the psychology of terminal cancer patients and their family members, and was fully met through all sessions. CP' most needs to the program was to learn how to assess and support these patients and their family members, and was fully met through case report and discussion sessions. Finally, several methods to improve the program were proposed and discussed.