World Media Roundup – 12 November 2014

Uganda and the need for pain control in palliative care

ecancertv

Prof Anne Merriman, founder of Hospice Africa Uganda, talks to ecancertv about palliative care in Uganda and the importance of getting cheap and effective pain control to more Africans.

Susan Tolle to be awarded 2014 MacLean Center Prize in Clinical Ethics

News Medical

The 2014 MacLean Center Prize in Clinical Ethics will be presented to Dr Susan Tolle, who has pioneered efforts to improve communication between healthcare providers and patients regarding end of life care.

Philip Nitschke: suspension boosted book sales and interest in euthanasia

Australia – The Guardian

The suspension of Philip Nitschke’s medical registration has prompted an increase in people joining the pro-euthanasia organisation Exit International and boosted sales of his controversial book, he said on Tuesday.

Hospice patients more likely to die at home, receive efficient care

US – Reuters Health

People in hospice are less likely to die in a hospital or nursing home, and less likely to get costly and intensive care, than terminally ill patients who don’t opt for hospice care, according to a new study.

Nurses play vital role in care of terminally ill patients

Australia – Medical Xpress

A University of Queensland study has found nurses play a crucial role in decisions surrounding treatment of terminally ill patients.

Should dying patients have the right to access experimental treatments?

US – The Conversation

In the last six months Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan and Arizona have passed “right to try” laws that allow terminally ill patients to access treatments that have only passed FDA Phase I clinical trials.

Sierra Leone to pay families of health workers who die of Ebola

Reuters

Sierra Leone will make a one-off payment of $5,000 to the family of any health worker who dies as a result of treating an Ebola patient, authorities said on Tuesday, as a sixth doctor in the country tested positive for the virus.

Ebola crisis: Mali confirms second death

BBC News

A Malian nurse has died of Ebola, the second confirmed death from the disease in the country.

Nurses significant influencers in transition to palliative care

ehospice Australia

Nurses have a unique insight into when patients are ready to move from life-prolonging treatment to palliative care. However, a recent University of Queensland study highlights nurses’ inability to make the decision on when to move a patient from active treatment to palliative care.