I had the privilege of attending the Research Conference in Barcelona to represent the National Programme team and support the accepted poster submitted by Consultant Dr. Baker, titled “Development of a New National Programme for Palliative and End of Life Care across Wales” (acknowledgment to Lisa Wooler for the poster design).
It was an amazing experience, and I encourage everyone to attend if given the opportunity. You will return inspired, motivated, and energised with new ideas and connections for future work, plus the added bonus of experiencing new places, food, and cultures! Below are some highlighted studies from the conference and links to further information. Topics included:
Topics included Innovation & New Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Communication, Development and Organisation of Services, Education & Advocacy, Identification, Outcomes and Assessment, Carer Support, Bereavement, and research skills development.
Dr. Xavier Gomez Batiste: Emphasised developing palliative care towards universal coverage, highlighting psychosocial and spiritual care as human rights for individuals with advanced chronic conditions. Palliative care should be a universal right in all healthcare systems.
Government Support for Palliative Care: Government support is crucial for advancing palliative care across healthcare systems. For example, Singapore has prioritised palliative care for everyone, leading to extensive service development.
Dr. Grace Yang, Singapore: Stressed the importance of upstream palliative care, supporting early stages proactively to prevent crisis situations. Co-production with patients ensures involvement as early and widely as possible. She discussed the "Goldilocks" aspect of timing, where waiting for perfection can delay support. The use of IPOS for early palliative care identification was illustrated in the Sparkle study.
EAPC Researcher Award Clinical Impact: Dr. Sabrina Bajwah of Kings College, London, shared her personal journey following the death of her 20-year-old brother. She realised bereavement services did not meet the needs of her ethnically diverse community and has been awarded research funds to explore this further.
Novel Palliative Care Model for Advanced Cancer Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial Study (SPARKLE2)
Summary: This trial involves the 'Supportive and Palliative Care Review Kit in Locations Everywhere' (SPARKLE) intervention, an outpatient-based model of early palliative care. It includes regular symptom monitoring, early identification, and prompt treatment of identified problems, facilitating earlier interventions for advanced cancer patients.
Link: SPARKLE Model of Care in Cancer - Clinical Trials Registry - ICH GCP
Project ENABLE (Educate, Nurture, Advise Before Life Ends)
Summary: A telehealth approach providing palliative care to patients with serious illnesses and their caregivers. It includes consultations with specialty-trained providers and weekly, nurse-led coaching sessions to enhance problem-solving, symptom management, and coping skills. Results showed lower rates of depression and burden, and higher quality of life.
Link: Project ENABLE pdf.
Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise and Tai Chi Interventions on Sleep Quality in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Summary: This study found that both aerobic exercise (AE) and Tai Chi (TC) improved sleep, psychological distress, physical function, and circadian rhythm in patients with advanced lung cancer. TC demonstrated greater benefits on sleep and survival, and both exercises can be incorporated into lung cancer survivorship care.
Citation: Takemura N, Cheung DST, Fong DYT, et al. JAMA Oncol. 2024;10(2):176-184.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38060250/
Through the Students' Eyes: Fifth Year Medical Students’ Artwork on Challenging Medical Issues
Summary: This project from the Medical University of Vienna used artwork, such as comic strips, to capture medical students' feelings and impacts of their experiences on challenging medical issues.
Authors: C Wenzel, EK Masel
Report of the Lancet Commission on the Value of Death: bringing death back into life
Summary: Discussed public approaches to death, dying, and grieving within complex social systems. The Lancet Commission on the Value of Death report highlighted the need to recognise death and dying as normal and valuable, calling for rebalanced care of the dying and grieving.
Authors: Dr. Libby Sallnow, UCL, London & Head of Marie Curie Research
Link: Lancet Commission on the Value of Death
It was wonderful to see our Professor Mark Taubert chairing sessions and Mala Mann from Cardiff sharing the collaboration between clinical, policy, and academic partnerships. This collaboration supports the “Availability of Competency Framework Palliative and End of Life Care Education: A Rapid Evidence Map,” highlighting the close work between academia and the Wales PEoLC Programme to support future education in Wales.
Showcase some of the brilliant work we are completing across Wales and submit to the next World Congress which till take place on 29-31st May 2025 in Helsinki Finland.