Volume 16, Number 6
 

Book review: Venous Thromboembolism in Advanced Disease. A Clinical Guide

This book covers all aspects of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in advanced disease of malignant and non-malignant origin. It provides clinical guidance on the management of VTE, underpinned by an up-to-date and thorough evidence base.

Can psychostimulants be used in palliative care?

Psychostimulants may provide a useful therapeutic option for the treatment of depression, cancer-related fatigue and opioid-induced sedation in patients approaching the end of life for whom other options may either be ineffective or impractical, says Vinnie Nambisan

Delivering palliative care to those with learning disabilities

Increasing numbers of people with learning disabilities need palliative and end-of-life care. Dorry McLaughlin, Owen Barr and Sonja McIlfatrick report on a conference set up to raise awareness of the key issues involved in delivering a good service to these patients

DGP: Germany aims to offer specialist palliative care to all who need it

Since 1994, when the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Palliativmedizin (DGP, the German Association for Palliative Medicine) was founded, palliative care in Germany has come a long way. It has overcome multiprofessional and interdisciplinary challenges and set priorities for care that offer an alternative to assisted suicide

Standards and norms for palliative care in Europe

The White Paper on standards and norms for hospice and palliative care in Europe, which is an official position paper of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), is published in the European Journal of Palliative Care in two parts, the first of which appears in this issue. It is a welcome piece of research that one could consider to be well overdue.

The case study masterclass: Case 46 answers. Duodenal stenting in a 42-year-old man near the end of life

Raj* was a shopkeeper living with his wife and two teenage sons. He was an articulate, dignified, intelligent man, who was described in his medical notes as ‘lovely’ and ‘anxious’. In March 2009, at the age of 42 and after a long history of colorectal cancer, he had a stent inserted to palliate inoperable duodenal obstruction. He died a few weeks later after having been admitted with haematemesis.

The case study masterclass: Case 47. Flying home to die: repatriation of a terminally ill patient

Rebecca*, a 44-year-old Kenyan lady with rapidly progressive metastatic malignant melanoma, was admitted to hospital in the UK with a large pleural effusion. Her life expectancy was considered in terms of weeks. She was married with two teenage children, who lived with their father in Kenya. She expressed the wish to return to Kenya to spend her last days with her family.

The Marie Curie Delivering Choice Programme

Nicky Agelopoulos and Teresa Tate discuss the Marie Curie Delivering Choice Programme, designed to help improve services for palliative care patients so that they can chose their place of care and death, and stress the importance of a ‘whole-system’ approach

The role of health professionals in spiritual care: attitudes, practices and interventions

Do doctors want to talk about spiritual beliefs with patients who are seriously ill? Do patients wish to engage in such discussions? Simon Dein explores the importance of addressing spirituality in palliative care

Using practitioner research to study vulnerable patients

A study of the healthcare needs of patients with end-stage renal disease managed without dialysis was undertaken by the practitioner, Helen Noble. She and fellow authors Jackie Bridges and Julienne Meyer explain how this type of approach can yield unique results

White Paper on standards and norms for hospice and palliative care in Europe: part 1

In this official position paper of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), Lukas Radbruch, Sheila Payne and the Board of Directors of the EAPC outline and explain the association’s recommendations for a common terminology and common quality norms