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.

Study examines use of single-fraction radiation treatment for prostate cancer, bone metastases

Justin E. Bekelman, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, and colleagues conducted a study to examine whether single-fraction radiation treatment, shown to be as effective as multiple-fraction treatment with less potential for harm, has been incorporated into routine clinical practice for Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer and at what cost savings.

9 Oct 2013

Six prominent surgeons awarded Honorary Fellowship at Clinical Congress of ACS

Last night Honorary Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) was awarded to six prominent surgeons from Germany, England, Thailand, Mexico, and Malaysia during the Convocation ceremony that preceded the official opening of the 2013 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons.

7 Oct 2013

UAB paper suggests that physical activity, exercise important for healthy aging

A clinical review from geriatricians at the University of Alabama at Birmingham suggests that mobility limitations are a litmus test for healthy aging and urges primary care physicians to take a more aggressive role in ascertaining the mobility of their older patients.

18 Sep 2013

Choosing Wisely List released by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today released a list of specific tests or procedures that are commonly ordered but not always necessary in orthopaedics as part of the Choosing Wisely- campaign, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is really necessary.

12 Sep 2013

IOM’s ‘Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care’ report praised by ASTRO

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) praises the "Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a News Course for a System in Crisis" report, issued earlier today by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies.

12 Sep 2013

Researchers assess prevalence, cost of critical care therapies seen as futile by doctors

In one of the first studies of its kind, a joint UCLA/RAND Corporation study addressed the prevalence and cost of critical care therapies provided in intensive care units that were perceived by physicians as "futile."

10 Sep 2013

Researchers develop new opioid drug for chronic pain

A team of researchers led by Andrew Coop, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, has developed a new opioid drug that shows great potential to advance treatment and improve quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain.

29 Aug 2013

Even in advanced stages total tumor size can have major impact on survival in lung cancer patients

For the two-thirds of lung cancer patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease, tumor size is not used currently to predict overall survival times. A new study, however, led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has shown that even in advanced stages total tumor size can have a major impact on survival.

20 Aug 2013

Child cancer survival: an interview with Prof Kathy Pritchard-Jones, University College London

Back in the early 1960s, just before chemotherapy really started to be used, only about 30% of children survived cancer. That was mainly because they had cancers that were amenable to surgery.

24 Jul 2013

Researchers receive award to determine end-of-life needs for people with HIV/AIDS

Approximately 10,000 Americans die with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis each year, and many of these patients lack access to the care they need at the end of their lives. A group of nursing professors at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is embarking on a study to try to change this.

24 Jul 2013

BD Saf-T-Intima Safety Integrated IV Catheter System gets European approval for subcutaneous infusion therapy

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, announces the approval of the BD Saf-T-Intima Safety Integrated IV Catheter System for use in subcutaneous infusion therapies in Europe.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 23 Jul 2013

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center receive highest rating

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University received its highest rating, an overall "outstanding," on the competitive renewal of its National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant, along with recommended funding of $24.9 million over the next five years.

15 Jul 2013

Drexel University receives NIH grant to study medical marijuana use among LA young adults

Drexel University has received a grant for a five-year study of medical marijuana and its impact on drug use and physical and psychological health among young adults in Los Angeles. It is the first large-scale NIH project funded to directly investigate medical marijuana use among young adults aged 18 to 26.

15 Jul 2013

Researchers find new potential treatment for cancer

A University of Southampton Professor, in collaboration with colleagues at the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, have discovered a novel way of killing cancer cells. The research, recently published in the journal Cell, has found a new potential treatment for cancer, which leaves the body's healthy cells undamaged, unlike traditional therapies such as radiotherapy.

12 Jul 2013

Researchers to study effectiveness of palliative care home health visits for people with HIV

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing will assess how effective palliative care home health visits are in treating people with HIV and other chronic illnesses in a new four-year, $1.7-million study funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research.

12 Jul 2013

Wake Forest Baptist to extend innovation in geriatrics education with new GPS program

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center will maintain its position as a leader in geriatric medicine and medical training with continued grant funding from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

3 Jul 2013

Research roundup: 'Welcome-mat' effect of Medicaid expansion; Setting up shops; California's transition to Medicaid managed care

The number of people eligible for Medicaid who remain uninsured varies from state to state, according to the authors. But the federal health law is likely to increase the rate of enrollment for this group. The potential impact of this increase in Medicaid enrollment, also known as the 'welcome-mat' effect, is unclear.

2 Jul 2013

ATS releases statement on ethical, health policy considerations surrounding DCDD process

The American Thoracic Society has released an official statement on the ethical and health policy considerations surrounding adult and pediatric controlled organ donation after circulatory determination of death, the recovery of organs after cessation of circulation from patients with severe neurological, neuromuscular or pulmonary disease for whom decisions are made to forego additional life-prolonging treatments.

1 Jul 2013

Acute Palliative Care Unit: A new frontier in managing patients with end-stage chronic disease

A new study shows that hospitals with specialized units combining the compassionate care of hospice and the level of care offered in medical-surgical units may provide efficient, cost effective assistance to patients with advanced chronic illness or terminal disease.

28 Jun 2013

VA extends enterprise license with Decision Simulation to support SimLEARN initiative

Decision Simulation LLC, the leading provider of web-based simulation platforms, announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs has extended its enterprise license with Decision Simulation to support their SimLEARN (Simulation, Learning, Education and Research Network) initiative.

6 Jun 2013