The latest issue of Media Watch, compiled and annotated by Barry R. Ashpole (Ontario, Canada) can now be downloaded here. More reports can be found at IPCRC.NET
Articles from Asia Pacific Region
Australia – More Victorians to be able to die at home under government plan
AUSTRALIA (Victoria) | The Age – 7 July 2016 – More Victorians would be able to die at home under an ambitious government plan to overhaul the state’s strained and fragmented palliative care (PC) system within two years. The state government will … release a new framework for end-of-life and PC, and commit $7.2 million to immediately begin integrating, training and expanding the sector to give Victorians more options towards the end of their lives. About 800 people and 40 organisations were consulted for the plan, many of whom stressed that people want access to PC in their homes and local areas. A recent parliamentary end-of-life choices review found that although most people want to die at home – studies suggest up to 80% – only 14% do, with most dying in hospitals. It also recommended a doctor-assisted dying scheme. The government plans to introduce laws to protect patient’s end-of-life wishes, ensure their preferences are discussed, develop and test new models of home-based care and create a statewide standard. http://goo.gl/rO6kRy
Article highlighted to be of particular interest:
Are rural and remote patients, families and caregivers needs in life-limiting illness different from those of urban dwellers? A narrative synthesis of the evidence
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH (National Rural Health Alliance) | Online – 5 July 2016 – Peer-reviewed studies from 1996 to the present dealing with the experience of rural and remote patients and caregivers at the end-of-life compared with that of urban people were extracted for narrative synthesis. The eight studies included showed that palliative needs of rural and remote residents are related to context. Diagnosis and treatment are less well managed in rural areas. Rural differences include: 1) People are more accepting of death and less likely to intervene to delay death; and, 2) Caregivers tend to be younger and include friends as well as family and local support networks are important. Rural and remote end-of-life needs are shaped by reduced access and availability of services, which has a negative influence on outcomes. This is counterbalanced by an acceptance of death and local support networks. Well-designed longitudinal studies with samples comprised of rural and urban residents for comparison are required to monitor how end-of-life need might change with the approach of death. Clinicians, health services and policy makers need a better understanding of rural attitudes and of how rural community networks mobilise to support end-of-life care in their rural and remote communities. http://goo.gl/QS1e7w