Veterans Affairs Nationwide Palliative Care Network

描述(由申请人提供)： 退伍军人事务部临终关怀网络(PCN)的概念是为一个与实践相关、以问题为基础的虚拟异步学习网络创造机会，该网络专门为照顾临终退伍军人的退伍军人提供者量身定做。这个在线学习网络将通过互联网技术促进信息交流的公平分配，促进退伍军人制度中卫生保健专业人员、姑息治疗研究人员和教育工作者之间的沟通和合作。PCN旨在供主要利益攸关方、教育工作者和临终关怀培训人员使用。将通过一个门户网站促进访问，该门户网站将包括地方、州和国家教育资源和数据库的链接，包括(但不限于)MEDLINE和MedlinePlus。由于PCN门户将设在退伍军人管理局计算机网络系统上，供应商可在其工作站上使用该门户，并可随时进入。PCN网址和一些关键内容将以电子通讯的形式定期发送给退伍军人管理局供应商。将开发一种互动的、退伍军人事务部特定的、基于互联网的姑息关怀课程和培训材料。将开发基于网络的打印资源，并将扩大现有的退伍军人临终关怀资源。还将开发练习和评估测试，并在网上提供。将通过基于浏览器的界面对PCN活动进行自动分析，目的是提高门户网站的效率。还将使用半结构化在线调查正式研究PCN的可用性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The concept of the Veterans Affairs Palliative Care Network (PCN) is to create opportunities for a practice-relevant, problem-based virtual asynchronous learning network specifically tailored towards VA providers caring for veterans at the end of life. This online learning network will facilitate equitable distributions of exchange of information, foster communication and collaboration between and amongst health care professionals, palliative care researchers and educators in the VA system, through Internet technology. The PCN is intended for use by key stakeholders, educators and trainees in end-of-life care. Access will be facilitated through a portal, which will be housed within the VA wide web links to local, state and national education recourses and databases including (but not limited to) MEDLINE and MEDLINEPLUS. As the PCN portal will be on the VA computer network system, it will be available to providers at their workstations and will be accessible all the time. The PCN web address and some of the key content will be sent to VA providers as periodic intra-office email in the form of an electronic newsletter. An interactive, VA specific, Internet based palliative care curriculum and training material will be developed. Print a web-based resources will be developed and current VA end-of-life care resources will be expanded. Practice and evaluation tests will also be developed and be available online. Automatic analysis of the PCN activity will be done via a browser-based interface with the goal of improving the effectiveness of the portal. The usability of the PCN will also be formally studied using semi-structured online surveys.