May 2024 News Digest from PACED

This digest compiles interesting articles and current research from the world of palliative medicine. We hope it proves useful in your work. If there are topics you would like to learn more about, please email us at info@paced.org.uk. We can develop these topics in a webinar or find more articles for future digests.   ­ Where to learn neuro-palliative care? In recent years, the subspecialty of neuro-palliative care has been actively developing, aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with neurological conditions. In 2020, creating an international online course began, which proved to be a challenging task as it required course leaders to dedicate a significant amount of time to discussions and coordinating the work of a large group of specialists. A significant achievement was the pooling of professional resources and voluntary assistance to create a rich and interactive curriculum. The article describes the launch and results of an innovative international hybrid course on neuro-palliative care, including self-paced modules and lectures, designed for neurologists, palliative care specialists, and other physicians interested in the topic. Read more   “Day of Remembrance”: transitioning to a virtual format Authors share their experience adapting the traditional in-person event for families who have lost children to a virtual format during the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital staff decided not to forgo their annual meeting with parents of their deceased patients and moved it to an online platform. The article describes the advantages and challenges of this approach. Researchers argue that virtual events enable flexible and accessible support for families navigating the grieving process and foster a connection with other parents and staff despite physical distance constraints. Read more   “Caring for someone with…” A convenient resource gathering publications and stories for those who find themselves in the role of caregiver for a seriously ill loved one. How to care for someone with Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, COPD, and diabetes? The selection of articles provides advice to help improve the patient’s life and reduce pain, restore strength and attain achievable independence, and support a loved one whose needs for assistance are gradually increasing. Read more   Feeling unprepared to counsel patients about medical cannabis? You are not alone. A recent Harvard University study shows that 71% of palliative care and hospice physicians are uncertain about discussing this increasingly relevant topic with patients. Despite formal training, many feel ill-equipped to provide recommendations regarding the use of marijuana for medical purposes. With changing laws in Western countries and the growing number of legal consumers, the need for improved education and expanded evidence in palliative care is becoming more urgent than ever Read more   Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 EAPC Researcher Award! The annual EAPC awards recognise outstanding researchers in the field of palliative care. This year’s winners are Grace Young (Singapore) in the Early Researcher category for implementing a culturally adapted model of support for patients and their families, Libby Sallnow (United Kingdom) in the Post-Doctoral category for research on end-of-life care, and Sabrina Bajwah (United Kingdom) in Clinical Impact Reward category for studying the impact of racial inequality on the provision of palliative care. The laureates presented their work at the recent EAPC Congress in Barcelona. Learn more about their achievements and inspiring stories on the official EAPC page. Read more ­ ­ https://paced.org.uk