Literature Review
All posts tagged with “International News.”
961 nurses get training on palliative care
04/23/24 at 03:00 AM961 nurses get training on palliative careThe Daily Star - Healthcare; 4/19/24[India:] Palliative Care Society of Bangladesh (PCSB), in collaboration with Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal Limited, provided training to the nurses in two phases held on April 2-4 and April 18-19. ... At present, approximately 800,000 people across Bangladesh, including more than 70,000 children, are in need of palliative care.
Global assessment of palliative care need: Serious health-related suffering measurement methodology
04/22/24 at 03:00 AMGlobal assessment of palliative care need: Serious health-related suffering measurement methodologyJournal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Xiaoxiao J Kwete, Afsan Bhadelia, Héctor Arreola-Ornelas, Oscar Mendez, William E Rosa, Stephen Connor, Julia Downing, Dean Jamison, David Watkins, Renzo Calderon, Jim Cleary, Joe Friedman, Liliana De Lima, Christian Ntizimira, Tania Pastrana, Pedro E Pérez-Cruz, Dingle Spence, M R Rajagopal, Valentina Vargas Enciso, Eric L Krakauer, Lukas Radbruch, Felicia Marie Knaul; 4/16/24Inequities and gaps in palliative care access are a serious impediment to health systems especially low- and middle-income countries and the accurate measurement of need across health conditions is a critical step to understanding and addressing the issue. Serious Health-related Suffering (SHS) is a novel methodology to measure the palliative care need and was originally developed by The Lancet Commission on Global Access to Palliative Care and Pain Relief. ... The discussion encompasses opportunities for applying SHS to future policy making assessment of future research priorities particularly in light of the dearth of data from low- and middle-income countries, and sharing of directions for future work to develop SHS 3.0.
Hospice boss warns of funding challenges
04/22/24 at 03:00 AMHospice boss warns of funding challenges BBC News, Josh Sandiford; 4/28/24[United Kingdom] A West Midlands hospice boss has warned it faces a "huge challenge" under the current funding model. Acorns Children's Hospice, which is based in Birmingham, told the BBC the situation was not sustainable despite demand for its services growing. It came after Hospice UK said there was a £77m funding deficit at centres across the UK. Editor's Note: We highlighted this recurring theme from United Kingdom in posts on 4/16/24 and 4/17/24 in our "International" section. Pairing this critical, ongoing financial crisis with our article on 4/19/24, "Will Assisted Dying in Europe Impact Living With Dignity?", how might these potential losses of effective hospice care impact patients' desires for assisted dying? What similar trends are we seeing in the United States?
Will Assisted Dying in Europe impact Living With Dignity?
04/19/24 at 03:00 AMWill Assisted Dying in Europe impact Living With Dignity? Medscape, by Sara Freeman; 4/17/24 BUDAPEST — Only a handful of European countries have legislation in place that decriminalizes the act of physician-assisted dying for certain patients, such as those who are terminally ill. But in recent months, public debates on the topic have been on the rise. ... This was a topic of discussion at the annual meeting of the 32nd European Congress of Psychiatry (EPA 2024) in a session titled "Psychiatry and Physician-Assisted Dying: Europe — Is Diversity Needed?" [Click on the title's link for summaries about the following countries.]
Death is a part of life – so let's talk about it
04/18/24 at 03:00 AMDeath is a part of life – so let's talk about itNow Then - A Magazine for Sheffield [UK], by Sam Walby; 4/17/24 The Sheffield Life, Loss and Death Festival takes place this May with a mission to break through taboos, awkwardness and anxiety about death and dying. Here's why it's important. Death is universal. We will all die and we are all likely to experience grief at the loss of loved ones. So why are we so squeamish about talking about it? ... The festival, which comes to Sheffield this May, uses all kinds of event formats and venues to engage people in the topic, from exhibitions and 'death cafes' to music performances and open mics.
Hospices call on Government to help fund rising staff bill
04/17/24 at 03:00 AMHospices call on Government to help fund rising staff bill ShropshireStar.com, United Kingdom; 4/14/24 Hospices are facing a huge cash shortfall because of a rising staff bill which is putting services at risk, a charity has warned. Hospice UK said the Government must provide cash urgently after its analysis showed hospices will need £120 million to match upcoming pay rises in the NHS. ... Hospice UK said rising costs, such as energy and food prices, together with squeezed donations as people cope with an increased cost of living, mean hospices are currently budgeting for a total deficit of £186 million this year.Editor's Note: Increasingly, we are seeing more articles for hospice community fundraisers throughout the UK: England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Repeatedly, the tone is dire; requests are urgent.
Funding boost for crucial hospice care, Welsh Government announces
04/17/24 at 03:00 AMFunding boost for crucial hospice care, Welsh Government announces National Health Executive, by Louis Morris; 4/15/24 The Welsh Governmetn has confirmed that 12 hospices in Wales will receive £4million of funding to continue providing crucial care. The funding will help the network of hospices:
Hospices face ‘devastating’ financial crisis as staff costs rises, charity warns
04/16/24 at 03:00 AMHospices face ‘devastating’ financial crisis as staff costs rises, charity warns Shropshire Star, United Kingdom; 4/15/24 Hospices are facing a “devastating” financial crisis because of rising staff costs which are putting services at risk, a charity has warned. The chief executive of Hospice UK, Toby Porter, said the last year had seen the “worst financial results for the hospice sector in around 20 years.”
Translation and validation of the Chinese version of Palliative Care Self-Efficacy Scale
04/09/24 at 03:00 AMTranslation and validation of the Chinese version of Palliative Care Self-Efficacy ScalePalliative & Supportive Care; by Junchen Guo, Yongyi Chen, Boyong Shen, Wei Peng , Lianjun Wang, Yunyun Dai; 4/8/24[This] study aimed to translate, adapt, and validate the Palliative Care Self-Efficacy Scale (PCSS) among Chinese palliative care professionals. ...Significance of results: The findings from this study affirmed good validity and reliability of the C-PCSS [Chinese-PCSS]. It can be emerged as a valuable and reliable instrument for assessing the self-efficacy levels of palliative care professionals in China.
Thinking outside the box: eco concerns prompt greener funeral options
04/09/24 at 03:00 AMThinking outside the box: eco concerns prompt greener funeral options Positive.News, by Alison McClintock; 4/5/24 Keeping a lid on your carbon footprint doesn’t stop with your last breath. Your choice of funeral can have a significant environmental impact. In a recent report by the US-based National Funeral Directors Association, 60.5% of those surveyed expressed their interest in greener options including resomation (water cremation) human composting and natural burials. And while the UK’s funeral preferences are currently split 80:20 between cremations and burials, YouGov research finds that almost a third (29%) of people in the UK would choose alternative committal methods if available.
In the spirit of Ramadan: Diverse access to palliative care
04/08/24 at 03:00 AMIn the spirit of Ramadan: Diverse access to palliative care Medscape UK, by Dr. Mohammed Sattar; 4/4/24 St. Gemma’s Hospice hosted their first ever Ramadan community iftar in Moortown, Leeds on March 19, with almost 100 guests in attendance. For me, this was a historic moment. This iftar was about creating a sense of community. ... [I've] seen the visionary leadership that is provided by St. Gemma’s senior team, ... taking careful consideration of what hospice and palliative care services should look like in an ever-changing Leeds population. The team members ask themselves some difficult questions about how to become an inclusive service for all and no faiths. The iftar, the sunset meal when Muslims break their daily fast, was a testament to that. ...
Global Medical Tourism Report 2024: Numbers, prospects and problems
04/03/24 at 03:00 AMGlobal Medical Tourism Report 2024: Numbers, prospects and problems Business Wire; 4/1/24 Medical tourism has been touted as the next big thing for many years. ... Medical tourism refers to the practice of individuals traveling across borders to receive medical treatment or healthcare services. ... This global phenomenon has gained significant traction in recent years due to various factors such as cost savings, high-quality healthcare facilities, and accessibility to advanced medical treatments. Editor's Note: The term "medical tourism" appears increasingly in our searches for newsletter articles. Become familiar with this practice as it applies to the patients your organization serves.
Killeigh mother and daughter fundraiser surpasses €10k
04/02/24 at 03:00 AMKilleigh mother and daughter fundraiser surpasses €10k Offaly Independent, by Geraldine Grennan; 3/28/24 A fundraiser organised by a Killeigh mother and daughter to raise money for the Irish Hospice Foundation has passed the €10,000 mark this week – despite setting an initial target of just €500.Arlene Guilfoyle Beatty from Fenter Lane in Killeigh embarked on the challenge of walking 100 miles for the month of March in memory of her beloved husband Donal, who was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of lymphoma in August 2021 and passed away seven months later. Editor's Note: €10,000 = over $16,625 US dollars
Could assisted dying be coming to Scotland?
04/01/24 at 03:00 AMCould assisted dying be coming to Scotland? BBC, by James Cook; 3/28/24 Scotland could become the first UK nation to provide terminally-ill people with assistance to end their lives if a bill that has been introduced at Holyrood is approved. Supporters of the legislation say it would ease suffering. Opponents worry that some terminally-ill people could feel under pressure to end their lives.
Eye donation in palliative and hospice care settings: Patient views and experiences
03/30/24 at 03:00 AMEye donation in palliative and hospice care settings: Patient views and experiencesBMJ Open Ophthalmology, by Tracy Long-Sutehall, Mike Bracher, Banyana Cecile Madi-Segwagwe, Michelle Myall, Adam Hurlow, Professor Christina Faull, Clare Rayment, Jane Wale, Sarah Mollart, Jill Short, Erika Lipscombe, Emma Winstanley; 11/22There is a global shortage of donated eye tissue for use in sight saving and sight restoring operations such as corneal transplantation. ... Patients who die in palliative and hospice care settings could potentially donate eye tissue, however, the option of eye donation is not routinely raised in end-of-life planning discussions. ... It is imperative that patients who would want to be a donor are identified and assessed for eligibility for donation as part of high-quality end of life care.Publisher's note: Organ and tissue donation are interesting topics often overlooked in hospice and palliative care settings. I wrote a brief blog, have presented on, and encourage more discussion of this topic.
Covid-19: Life as nurses in first critical incident hospital (London)
03/28/24 at 03:00 AMCovid-19: Life as nurses in first critical incident hospital Nursing Times, by Edd Church; 3/26/24 Two nurses who were at the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak have splen about their experiences four years on.
Empowering young voices: Navigating the complexities of minors in healthcare decisions
03/23/24 at 03:00 AMEmpowering young voices: Navigating the complexities of minors in healthcare decisionsEuropean Journal of Pediatrics, by J Peter de Winter, Jaan Toelen, Gregorio Paolo Milani; 3/24The inclusion of children in healthcare decisions is a crucial element that requires attention to ethical, legal, and psychological considerations. Balancing autonomy with welfare interests and parental involvement is a significant challenge in pediatric healthcare ethics.
What contributes to promote sexual health in cancer palliative care? A realist review
03/23/24 at 03:00 AMWhat contributes to promote sexual health in cancer palliative care? A realist reviewSexual Medicine Reviews, by Donz Roxane, Russia Bruno, Barbaret Cécile, Debbie Braybrook, Perceau-Chambard Elise, Reverdy Thibaut, Economos Guillaume; 3/24.[France, UK] Of the 2056 articles identified, 38 articles were included in the review. The data reported in these articles contributed to 7 CMO hypotheses: (1) improving communication skills, (2) healthcare provider training, (3) reorganizing the patient environment in care settings or at home, (4) managing sexual symptoms and also general symptoms, (5 and 6) patient-centered counseling or couple counseling, and (7) lifting the taboo.
Health care worker education for palliative care in Africa: Narrative Review
03/23/24 at 03:00 AMHealth care worker education for palliative care in Africa: Narrative ReviewAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, by Claire Beecher, MD; David Holmes, MD; 3/14.The demand for palliative care for terminally ill patients is rising globally. This review examines the potential of health worker education to enhance palliative care in Africa... The integration of palliative care into public health systems is important for the sustainability of end-of-life care for terminally ill patients in Africa and around the world.Publisher's note: One cannot help but be reminded of the important work of the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa. The need remains...
[Singapore] Home palliative care capacity to increase 50% to 3,600 places by 2025
03/21/24 at 03:00 AMHome palliative care capacity to increase 50% to 3,600 places by 2025 CNA; 3/19/2024 Singapore is on track to add another 1,200 home palliative care places by 2025, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday (Mar 19). This is a 50 per cent increase from the number of places currently available and will bring the total number of home palliative care places to 3,600, MOH said in an update on the 2023 National Strategy for Palliative Care.
Roscommon nurse sets out on epic cycle to Australia
03/12/24 at 03:00 AMRoscommon nurse sets out on epic cycle to Australia Roscommon Herald; 3/10/24 A 25-year-old County Roscommon nurse set out on his 23,000km cycle from his home in Arigna to Australia this morning, Sunday, March 10th. Fergal Guihen began his 23,000km cycle from Roscommon to Australia this morning. It will take him a total of 11 months to complete the challenge. Fergal, a general nurse at Sligo General Hospital, will reach Australia in February of 2025. In the process, he’s raising funds for Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.Editor's Note: 23,000km = 14,300 miles. This translates to approximately 5.12 bike rides between New York City and Los Angeles.
The framework on palliative care in Canada - five years later: a report on the state of palliative care in Canada.
03/06/24 at 03:00 AMThe framework on palliative care in Canada - five years later: a report on the state of palliative care in Canada.Government of Canada; 3/5/24[From the "Minister's Message," The Honorable Mark Holland, PC, MP] As Minister of Health, I am pleased to present Health Canada’s 2023 Report on the State of Palliative Care in Canada. Since the release of the Framework on Palliative Care in Canada in 2018, there have been collective efforts to advance palliative care awareness, access to training, supports for caregivers and providers, and to stimulate research and improve data collection on palliative care. And I am especially encouraged to report that, since 2018, we have moved closer to our collective vision for palliative care in Canada. This progress is the result of collective and collaborative efforts by governments, organizations and individuals over the last five years.Editor's Note: What can we learn from our Canadian neighbors from their new five-year report "On the state of palliative care in Canada"? In our daily gleaning of articles for this newsletter, numerous articles with similar topics, ethical challenges, and core purposes appear from Canada.
The impact of early palliative care interventions on the utilization of medical care resources for end-of-life patients
02/24/24 at 03:50 AMThe impact of early palliative care interventions on the utilization of medical care resources for end-of-life patientsResearch Square (not peer reviewed; under review by BMC Palliative Care), by Chia-Chia Lin, Tsing-Fen Ho, Chang-Hung Lin, Nu-Man Tsai Tsai, Yu-Hung Kuo, Ju-Huei Chien; 2/12/24(Taiwan) Patients at the end-of-life who received palliative care experienced a reduced incidence of aggressive medical interventions before death. These encompassed activities such as stays in the intensive care unit, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, endotracheal intubation, respiratory ventilator support, and blood transfusions.
Predicting end-of-life in a hospital setting
02/24/24 at 03:45 AMPredicting end-of-life in a hospital settingJournal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, by Gezy Weita Giwangkancana, Heni Nur Anina, Hadyana Sukandar; 2/9/24(Indonesia) [Early Warning Score] and decreased consciousness are significant predictors of in-hospital mortality. It is crucial in clinical setting to use multiple indicators to predict death and improve patient care.
Leadership core competencies in palliative care — Recommendations from the European Association for Palliative Care: Delphi Study
02/24/24 at 03:40 AMLeadership core competencies in palliative care — Recommendations from the European Association for Palliative Care: Delphi StudyJournal of Palliative Medicine, by Olivia Parczyk, Gerrit Frerich, Martin Loučka, Raymond Voltz, Sheila Payne; 2/14/24The eight domains [of leadership: research, advocacy and media, communication, teamwork, project management, organizational learning and sustainability, leading change, and personal traits] provide evidence for teaching of leadership competencies in palliative care. We recommend that exploring, identifying, and integrating leadership competencies in palliative care are given more attention in educational curricula and in training interventions.