Start the conversation - educational innovations and initiatives to promote conversations about end of life care in psychosocial oncology

Conversations about death and dying can be challenging1, 2. UWE Bristol have developed educational initiatives to promote talking about end of life care in psychosocial oncology amongst staff, students and the public. These include conference days, death cafes, workshops, debates, specialist modules and more. We integrate expertise from service users, students, colleagues in nursing, medicine and allied health professions and leaders from clinical practice. The impact is showing… For students - ‘by far one of the best days I have had at uni. I felt privileged to… listen’ (Student nurse on service user involvement) For colleagues - ‘thank you….for all that has been done to ensure… we are all talking about how Dying Matters’ (Academic Director, on Dying Matters conference) For practice– ‘Diversity of speakers and topics keep me gripped all day’ (Palliative Occupational Therapist on Dying Matters Conference) For the public – ‘it was a tonic to speak to your students... they will carry the ‘torch' for such an important subject very well’ (Service user, Dying Matters Engagement Event) Conversations are happening…… ‘Students and staff…were most receptive to raising awareness as well as appreciating the personal aspects’ (Service user, Death Cafe) Confidence is building….. ‘(I feel) less apprehensive about it’ (MSc student) The workforce is changing…… ‘I applied for a job on the oncology ward… all I had to my name was your module…. it's my dream job and I'm very excited.’ (Graduate nurse) We’re not stopping here –2019 will include theatre productions, death cafes and increased service user involvement.