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 – Parliment of Victoria Inquiry into end-of-life Choices
AUSTRALIA (Victoria) | Palliative Care Victoria 9 June 2016 – The 440-page report & Social Issues Committee of the Victorian Le islative Council conveys the complexity of the issues under consideration. The report out 12 core values for end-of-life care These include: the value of every human life, open discussion about death and dying, the right to make informed choices, person EOLC, alleviation of pain and suffering, addres ing the needs of families and carers, palliative care (PC) is an invaluable and life part of EOLC, high quality EOLC available in all settings, non-discrimination in access to care, support and protection of vulne able people, coherent and transparent law, and law should be followed and enforced. recommendations are presented in the report, which covers three main sections: 1) community based approach to PC; 2) advance care planning; and, 3) Legalising a sisted dying. The report recognises the value of PC and makes 28 specific recommendations to strengthen PC and EOLC across Victoria. http://goo.gl/XDOvF5
Australia – The role of advance care planning in end-of-life care for residents of aged care facilities
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ADVANCE NURSING, 2016;33(4):26-34. This case study highlights the fact that advance care planning (ACP) is not routinely discussed with residents upon their entry to residential aged care facility (RACFs), and that this omission may, in consequence, have detrimental effects on the quality of life, and death, of the residents. The barriers to such discussions are becoming clear, and it would be beneficial to address these by investigating solutions to the obstacles, and requirements for further education and support of staff in RACFs in relation to ACP, its discussion, documentation, and implementation. Generally, alignment between the States/Territories’ requirements and documentation may resolve discrepancies. This, together with ready access to standardised procedural information and documents from a central source, is likely to reduce the confusion and uncertainty surrounding ACP expressed by professionals and patients alike. A systematic method for the practice of ACP, particularly in RACFs, is required for person centred care to ensure the residents’ wishes are known and respected. This should include education for staff on initiating discussions with residents and their families, and the subsequent documentation of decisions reached. Furthermore, the development and implementation of a standardised form, including a forcing function, across these facilities would enhance this process. Support from professionals experienced in the practice of ACP, for example a clinical nurse consultant, may prove useful in initiating and reinforcing these practices. The feasibility of a designated expert employed in the community sector to regularly visit RACFs should therefore be investigated. http://goo.gl/VtACuf
New Zealand – Necessary but not yet sufficient: A survey of aged residential care staff perceptions of palliative care communication, education and delivery
BMJ SUPPORTIVE & PALLIATIVE CARE | Online – 10 June 2016 – The study reveals an ongoing need for staff palliative care (PC) education. Results suggest the development of an integrated model of care which draws on both hospice and aged residential care (ARC) staff expertise. A survey of clinical staff in 52 ARC facilities in 1 urban district health board was conducted… Only 199 (46.2%) of staff participants reported undertaking PC education. Nurses were more likely to have engaged in PC education in comparison with healthcare assistants… Participants who wanted further education preferred an interactive, hands-on applied education (13.9%) in comparison to short topic-specific sessions/seminars (6.5%) or lecture-based courses (7.7%). http://goo.gl/emWMrg
Singapore – Almost 8 in 10 Singaporeans which to die at home
SINGAPORE | AsiaOne – 8 June 2016 – A new study, commissioned by Lien Foundation, found that 77% of Singaporeans wish to die at home, but only 27% of Singaporeans do so. Of those who want to die at home, most said they would still choose to do so even if there was insufficient support from family, friends or medical professionals. The study, which polled more than 1,000 people for their views towards death and dying, also found that they wish to die affordably and not leave financial burdens behind. And it would help to have well-trained doctors and nurses guide them about hospice palliative care (HPC). They also want a platform to talk about death in the community, such as national conversations and public education on HPC to discuss issues on death and dying. http://goo.gl/ob8fek
Article highlighted to be of particular interest:
Which public health approach to palliative care? An integrative literature review
PROGRESS IN PALLIATIVE CARE | Online – 9 June 2016 – Public health and palliative care (PC) are both broad disciplines with blurred boundaries. There is growing support for an alignment of PC to public health. Given the novel nature of this alignment and the ambiguity of the parent definitions, there is an understandable lack of clarity around this merged model. The aim of this study is to describe the theoretical features of the public health approach to PC as articulated in the current research literature. The search identified 18 studies. A thematic synthesis of these studies identified three different paradigms of a public health approach to PC within the current empirical research. These were defined as a health-promotion approach focused on empowerment at community level, a World Health Organisation approach which focused on systems at country level, and a population-based approach which typically viewed PC issues from an epidemiological perspective. This review highlights that the public health approach to PC is understood in various ways. It is important that future research studies clarify which public health approach they are referring to. http://goo.gl/4EGYB0