OP-5 The death literacy index-Island of Ireland (DLI-IRE)

<h3>Introduction</h3> The aging population and associated diseases has increased the demand for palliative care services. To address this demand, new public health approaches to palliative care have been devised in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Researchers in Australia identified a gap in research in assessing the effectiveness of public health approaches to palliative care and developed the Death Literacy Index (DLI). The DLI provides a measure of death literacy at community and national levels and can evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions. <h3>Aims</h3> To optimise and validate the DLI for use in an all-Ireland population. <h3>Methods</h3> ‘Think-aloud’ interviews were conducted with 10 professionals working in the palliative/end-of life care sector and 10 members of the public. Participants completed the DLI whilst voicing aloud thoughts and beliefs before reviewing the DLI with a content validity index and providing feedback. <h3>Results</h3> Respondents experienced issues with the DLI in terms of relevance, comprehensibility and comprehensiveness. Two PPI panel meetings were held to discuss the issues experienced and agree upon any refinements to be made to the DLI. A refined version of the DLI has been created (Death Literacy Index-Island of Ireland/DLI-IRE). <h3>Conclusion</h3> The DLI-IRE is undergoing a final assessment via a Qualtrics survey. It is predicted that the DLI-IRE will be a relevant, comprehendible and comprehensive measure of death literacy for the island of Ireland. <h3>Impact</h3> The study is the first to optimise and validate the DLI for the island of Ireland. The DLI-IRE is a tool that can better inform and promote successful end of life care research, policy, and practice on the island of Ireland. It may also serve as an outcome measure for assessing public health approaches to palliative and end of life care. <h3>Reference</h3> Harrison C, Graham-Wisener L, McEwan J, Nelson A, Berry E, Dempster M, Shayegh J, Bryne A, Islam I. (2022). Creating a Death Literate Society: The importance of boosting understanding and awareness of death, dying and bereavement in Northern Ireland. https://pureadmin.qub.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/341915786/creating_a_death_literate_society.pdf