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.

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

Study: One-third of pancreatic cancer patients miss out on treatment that may extend survival

Despite potential for prolonging survival with treatment, one-third of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer do not see a medical oncologist, and even more do not receive cancer-directed treatment, found new research published in CMAJ.

27 May 2019

New encyclopedia focuses on pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy

A MAJOR new reference work conceived and edited by the University of Huddersfield's Professor Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar will have a global readership and breaks new ground with its analysis of the latest developments in the pharmacy profession.

24 May 2019

‘Living their values’: Palliative care power couple faces cancer at home

In the 18 years that Kathy Brandt and Kim Acquaviva have been together, death has been a constant companion.

15 May 2019

Study shows how acceptance is key to living well with advanced cancer

A qualitative study of 22 cancer patients shows how acceptance is key to living as well as possible, although it requires time and is a process with ups and downs. Led by the University of Navarre, this research emphasizes the importance of focusing on life rather than on the disease.

14 May 2019

Researchers highlight the need for increased mental health care for smokers with COPD

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have published new information that stresses the need for increased mental health care for current and former smokers, especially those who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

9 May 2019

New book examines various phases of intervention research in hospice and palliative care

Behavioral Intervention Research in Hospice and Palliative Care: Building an Evidence Base sets forth research considerations and guidelines to build evidence-based interventions to improve end-of-life care.

3 May 2019

Study details how optimism can bias prognosis in serious illness

Most people think of optimism as a good thing - a positive outlook in challenging circumstances. But in reality, it's a psychological state that can be "contagious" in a bad way.

26 Apr 2019

People with low socioeconomic position more likely to receive worse end of life care

In high-income countries, people with low socioeconomic position are more likely to receive poor quality end of life care and die in hospital, according to a large meta-analysis by Joanna Davies of King’s College London, UK, and colleagues, published this week in PLOS Medicine.

24 Apr 2019

Older kidney disease patients starting dialysis die at higher rates than previously thought

Older adults with end-stage kidney disease who start dialysis--a treatment that keeps their blood free of toxins--appear to die at higher rates than previously thought, according to findings of a new study by researchers at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, among other institutions.

23 Apr 2019

New series offers global evidence detailing role of surgery in the opioids crisis

Targets to eliminate pain after surgery have driven increases in the use of opioids, and are a major cause of the opioid crisis in the USA, Canada and other countries.

12 Apr 2019

New drugs on PBS for Parkinson's, MND and Cutaneous T cell lymphoma

Under Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), soon many of the rare diseases and their treatments are set to become cheaper.

21 Mar 2019

Study: Written media can improve citizens' understanding of palliative care

In Spain, less than 50% of people who could receive end-of-life care have access to it. Research shows that giving health professionals, patients and families a voice in the media can help integrate these therapies into health care. However, it is politicians who are most present in media coverage.

19 Mar 2019