Palliative Care News and Research

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Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

Characteristics of older adults with moderately severe dementia differ depending on care settings

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has found that many characteristics among older adults with moderately severe dementia differ depending on whether they live at home or in residential care or nursing facilities.

7 Aug 2019

Most older people with advancing dementia remain at home, despite pain and poor health

Contrary to popular belief, most older Americans with advancing dementia remain in their own homes -- many until they die.

7 Aug 2019

The talk seniors need to have with doctors before surgery

The decision seemed straightforward. Bob McHenry's heart was failing, and doctors recommended two high-risk surgeries to restore blood flow. Without the procedures, McHenry, 82, would die.

1 Aug 2019

Novel palliative care approach for caregivers of children with rare diseases shows preliminary success

A novel palliative care intervention developed at Children's National Health System for caregivers of children and adolescents with rare diseases has shown preliminary success at helping families talk about potentially challenging medical decisions before a crisis occurs.

1 Aug 2019

New staffing model based on team approach for specialist palliative care

The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians has developed a new staffing model for specialist palliative care teams that can deliver an optimal, integrated palliative care program.

1 Aug 2019

One dose of HPV vaccine has comparable effectiveness to two or three doses

One dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has comparable effectiveness to two or three doses for preventing cervical pre-cancer, according to a new study.

24 Jul 2019

Mission of UTA associate professor: Preparing nurses to care for aging population

Kathryn Daniel believes nurses, who make up the largest segment of medical workers in the United States, are the backbone of the nation's health care system.

24 Jul 2019

AI-enabled device detects if targeted chemotherapy is working

A new portable device that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and biosensors can rapidly detect if cancer cells thrive after chemotherapy treatment.

17 Jul 2019

Study could lead to new strategies for slowing the growth of glioblastoma

Researchers are hopeful that new strategies could emerge for slowing the growth and recurrence of the most common primary brain cancer in adults, glioblastoma, based on the results of a study published today in Cancer Research.

10 Jul 2019

Introduction of default physician order reduces unnecessary imaging for cancer patients

Simply introducing a default physician order - a "nudge" - into electronic health records cut the use of unnecessary daily imaging in half during palliative radiation therapy sessions for patients with advanced cancer, according to a Penn Medicine study published today in JAMA Oncology.

28 Jun 2019

In secret, seniors discuss ‘rational suicide’

Ten residents slipped away from their retirement community one Sunday afternoon for a covert meeting in a grocery store cafe. They aimed to answer a taboo question: When they feel they have lived long enough, how can they carry out their own swift and peaceful death?

25 Jun 2019

Researchers explore new immune checkpoint for head and neck cancer

A checkpoint may delay travelers but it can help give cancer free rein by suppressing the natural immune response that should destroy it, researchers say.

25 Jun 2019

Study identifies proteins that interact with processes regulating gene p53

Scientists at VCU Massey Cancer Center have discovered that the loss of a protein called DBC1 in breast cancer cells leads to the dysregulation of normal anti-cancer functions, contributing to cancer cell growth and resistance to therapies.

24 Jun 2019

Miracle machine makes heroic rescues — and leaves patients in limbo

The latest miracle machine in modern medicine — whose use has skyrocketed in recent years — is saving people from the brink of death: adults whose lungs have been ravaged by the flu; a trucker who was trapped underwater in a crash; a man whose heart had stopped working for an astonishing seven hours.

18 Jun 2019

Most people visiting testing clinics before elective surgery lack advance directive

The majority of people visiting preoperative testing clinics before an elective surgery do not have an advance directive in case of surgical complications.

18 Jun 2019

Case study: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in a patient with ALS

This case study of a patient with ALS and symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome emphasizes the need for research into the use of medicinal cannabis.

12 Jun 2019

Never say ‘die’: Why so many doctors won’t break bad news

After nearly 40 years as an internist, Dr. Ron Naito knew what the sky-high results of his blood test meant. And it wasn't good.

12 Jun 2019

New case study about cannabis hyperemesis syndrome in palliative care

The medical use of cannabis is growing. Medical marijuana may improve symptoms including pain and anorexia. While it may improve nausea and vomiting, it can rarely cause a hyperemesis syndrome with chronic use.

11 Jun 2019

Countries' essential medicines lists differ from one another and WHO's model list, study finds

Countries' essential medicines lists vary from one another and from the World Health Organization's model list, pointing to a potential need for greater care in selecting medicines that best meet the health care priorities of a population, suggests a study led by Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital.

3 Jun 2019

A final comfort: ‘Palliative transport’ brings dying children home

Anne Brescia sat beside her only child, Anthony, as he lay unconscious in a hospital bed at age 16. Just a few months before, he was competing in a swim meet; now cancer was destroying his brain. Brescia couldn’t save her son. But she was determined to bring him home.

28 May 2019