Comment: Reflections on neurological palliative care
David Oliver
pp 57-57
Retirement is a good time for reflection. As I retire from a full-time role in palliative medicine, I would like to look back at how the care of patients with neurological disease has changed over the last 30 years.
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Cancer-related fatigue: an updated systematic review of its management
Ollie Minton, Bee Wee and Paddy Stone
pp 58-60
Has there been any progress on how to relieve fatigue in cancer patients? The current evidence is mixed at best, say Ollie Minton, Bee Wee and Paddy Stone, who regret that hardly any research can be translated into clear guidance for clinical practice.
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Assisted suicide in Switzerland: where have we come from and where are we going?
Esther Schmidlin, Bernice S Elger and Stuart McLennan
pp 61-65
In Switzerland, under a liberal law passed in 1937, assisted suicide is decriminalised. Esther Schmidlin, Bernice S Elger and Stuart McLennan describe the unique situation in this country, where organisations helping people to die – such as Exit and Dignitas – are now well established but where the debate around assisted suicide continues nonetheless.
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Case study masterclass 73: Treatment-induced oral mucositis in a patient with oropharyngeal cancer
Brendan McCann
pp 66-67
Rory is a 62-year-old man who has recently been diagnosed with stage III squamous cell oropharyngeal cancer. He is an unemployed shipyard worker from the west of Scotland and has a history of alcohol abuse, depression, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. He has been assigned to radical radiotherapy over a six-week period and two cycles of concurrent chemotherapy.
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Case study masterclass 72 answers: Difficulty predicting prognosis in heart failure
Jemma Storrar
pp 68-68
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The art and science of empathy
Viv Lucas
pp 69-71
Empathy is a desirable trait for palliative care professionals to have. But is it innate or can it be taught? Both, says Viv Lucas in an enlightening review of the literature.
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Music therapy: evaluation of staff perceptions at St Christopher’s Hospice
Giorgos Tsiris, Tamsin Dives and Gerry Prince
pp 72-75
Giorgos Tsiris, Tamsin Dives and Gerry Prince have surveyed staff at St Christopher’s Hospice in London on their perceptions of music therapy. Feedback was very positive and respondents highlighted many benefits for patients and families.
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Book review: Handbook for Mortals, 2nd edition
Anna Hume
pp 75-75
When I considered reviewing this book, I asked myself how it might be received by someone who is facing serious illness. I therefore asked my mother to read it. She is 86 and cares for my father, who is 82 and has diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease and dementia.
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Implementing spiritual care at the end of life: Germany
Piret Paal
pp 76-77
In this occasional series, members of the Taskforce on Spiritual Care in Palliative Care of the European Association for Palliative Care report on recent developments in their respective countries. Here, Piret Paal takes a look at Germany.
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Cornea donation after death: a study in a hospice in Venice, Italy
Giovanni Poles, Adriano Toso, Rodolfo Scognamiglio, Giancarlo Lorenzato, Maura Veronesi, Barbara Franzoi, Barbara Furlan, Cristina Mazzacurati and Diego Ponzin
pp 78-80
Cornea is a non-vascularised tissue, so cancer is not a contraindication for cornea donation after death, which is therefore open to most palliative care patients. Giovanni Poles, Adriano Toso, Rodolfo Scognamiglio, Giancarlo Lorenzato, Maura Veronesi, Barbara Franzoi, Barbara Furlan, Cristina Mazzacurati and Diego Ponzin explain how cornea procurement works in Venice.
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Awareness of the EAPC recommendations on palliative sedation: a web-based survey
Ebun Abarshi and Sheila Payne
pp 81-85
To what extent are members of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) aware of the association’s recommendations on palliative sedation? Ebun Abarshi and Sheila Payne undertook a web-based survey to find out.
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How do Muslim women cope with breast cancer?
Waleed Zafar and Haroon Hafeez
pp 86-89
Does faith or culture affect how Muslim women feel about breast cancer screening, react to a diagnosis of breast cancer and cope with the disease? Waleed Zafar and Haroon Hafeez share a literature review and findings from their own work in Pakistan.
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Access to palliative care and essential pain medication in Kyrgyzstan
Guljahan Pirnazarova and Jane Schlickau
pp 90-92
In Kyrgyzstan, many cancer patients lack access to adequate care and medication. However, encouraging developments have recently taken place and palliative care is being introduced in the country, report Guljahan Pirnazarova and Jane Schlickau.
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What do physicians think about paediatric palliative care? A survey in Singapore
Poh Heng Chong
pp 93-97
Poh Heng Chong has asked physicians working in the paediatric department of a Singaporean hospital how they feel about referring children to palliative care. His study reveals significant concerns that could be overcome by using a collaborative care model.
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Palliative care research in northern Africa
Maged El Ansary, Mati Nejmi, Reda Rizkallah, Muphtah Shibani, Eve Namisango, Faith Mwangi-Powell and Richard A Powell
pp 98-100
In northern Africa, palliative care research is not currently a priority, say Maged El Ansary, Mati Nejmi, Reda Rizkallah, Muphtah Shibani, Eve Namisango, Faith Mwangi-Powell and Richard A Powell in this last article of our series on palliative care research in Africa. The focus is much more on raising the profile of palliative care and training the trainers.
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European insight: Portugal is making great strides with the support of its national association
Manuel Luís Vila Capelas and Sílvia Patrícia Fernandes Coelho
pp 101-103
Since 1992, when the first service was created, palliative care has made huge progress in Portugal, thanks in part to the Portuguese Palliative Care Association. Next on its agenda are paediatric palliative care, the palliative care education of healthcare professionals and the creation of a care quality observatory.
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