Category Archives: Clinical

#ANZSPM16 Conference 2016 – early bird registration closing soon!

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ANZSPM 2016

The Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) will be holding its biennial scientific meeting in Perth between 8-11th September, 2016. The theme of ANZSPM 2016 Conference (#ANZSPM16) is “The Changing Landscape of Palliative Care”.

Palliverse is excited to announce that we will be working with ANZSPM to enhance the overall Conference experience by harnessing the power of social media.  We will be facilitating the sharing of knowledge from the Conference, encouraging discussion and debate within and beyond the Conference halls, and providing hands-on social media support before, during and after the event.

If you haven’t registered yet and you are keen to come, why wait?  You can find out more about the event and register for it here.  And – if you register by the 30th of June you will be eligible for an early-bird discount!  Continue reading →

Planning care for people with dementia

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Two new resources are now available to help with planning care for people with dementia. Palliverse talked to driving force Prof Meera Agar about the ‘whys’, ‘hows’ and ‘whats’.

Q: Why develop care planning resources just for dementia?

A: People with dementia face unique challenges and decisions related to their care and health care needs as their illness progresses; and supporting their choices is made more complex as they become less able to communicate their needs and articulate decisions about what they want from care. While good intentioned, many health professionals in aged care and other settings may not understand the course of dementia, and there may not always be good communication, involving the person with dementia whenever possible and their families,  and also between the different health professional involved in the persons care.

Q: So how do the new resources help?

A: The two new resources are a website offering practical support for family case conferencing and a report providing guidance on critical recommendations to improve advance care planning. Continue reading →

Palace of Care – Parallel Lives

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Cape Reinga the northern-most tip of New Zealand, where the spirits of Maori depart on their final journeys. Photo by Gadfium.

The first time I met the young ladies I had been cross-covering at the hospital, and was taken to see each of them as they both had severe pain and discomfort. They came from completely different backgrounds, had lived completely different lives but somehow ended up on the same journey.

About a week or so later they had both been admitted into our inpatient unit for pain control. Adjustments were made and they became more comfortable, but a few days later pain had returned again, as well as other problems. We had to aim at constantly moving targets, and so it would be over the next three months of their individual roller-coaster rides.

The similarities were startling; the same diagnosis, the same poor response to treatment, and in the end the same prognosis. What was completely different was their individual experiences of the same outcome. Continue reading →

Palace of Care/I think therefore I am? – #getjnrbak – Nervous anticipation

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Yesterday we were left with a number of questions.

Was Poppa going to be able to hold on?

Was Junior going to be okay during the flight?

What tie should I wear tomorrow?

A nervous night was spent with as many fingers crossed as possible, finger cramps set in disturbing sleep – and that was just me.

The answers to the questions above are contained in the photo below:

Continue reading →

Palace of Care/I think therefore I am? – #getjnrbak – Time is of the essence

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Since the last update a lot has happened.

The local branch of shipping company Maersk reached out to Palliverse after reading the NZ Herald article from Sunday. Their can do attitude was much appreciated by us all. Thank you very much.

Thanks also to everyone who has made suggestions, offered advice and wished us well for this mission. It is heartening that people are taking time out of their busy lives to try to help their fellow man. Be proud of yourselves.

Poppa has become extremely fatigued over the past three days which is a big concern to the hospice team and the family. There’s a possibility that time may be shortening, as Poppa’s condition continues to deteriorate.

There has been some good news – Junior has been improving everyday and has been in touch with his specialist again. His risk of further eye injury is now estimated to be low, and because of the uncertain situation that Poppa is in the decision has been made for Junior and other family members to board the earliest flight to Auckland tomorrow.

Poppa has been informed of the travel plans and is looking forward to seeing Junior tomorrow. Poppa is trying his best to hold on.

Fingers and everything else remain crossed. Prayers are being said by many people on both sides of the Tasman.

Good luck Poppa and Junior – I sincerely hope that you can have your reunion.

*Updated* 18/05/16 – Palace of Care/I think therefore I am? -#getjnrbak – Extra, extra read all about it! #pallanz

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Hi everyone,

Apologies for the late update, I’ve been clinically busy while working the weekend.

We – Palliverse and the family of “Poppa” and “Junior” are still trying to find a way to make their reunion happen.

With the family’s permission here is a photo from yesterday morning’s ward round:

Shirts

“Aloha” from Saturday morning from two guys who are fashion-forward? Poppa is trying to hold on for Junior.

The link to Poppa and Junior’s Story was shared through the social media by myself, the Palliverse community and the family.

I was pleasantly surprised that the link to the post appeared as a headline on Friday 13th May’s edition of the #hpmglobal paper.li – Thank you very much Jim Cleary!

I was informed by the family that one of NZ’s national papers had contact them and they were interviewed last night.

This resulted in the following story appearing this morning:

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Snapshot of from the New Zealand Herald website – Click here to read the full story.

I’m checking out a few more traditional media leads in order to spread the word further.

I’m also trying to contact sailing clubs as suggested by others’ helpful comments.

Fingers are still crossed.

Update 18/05/16 1700 NZT:

Poppa is still holding on, but is getting mighty fatigued.

Junior is on the mend which is good to hear.

Since the NZ Herald on Sunday story we have received a number of helpful emails.

Apparently another NZ newspaper has shown interest in running our story.

I’ve emailed a number of NZ radio shows, an Australian newspaper, and whatever else that myself and other people can think of. I’ve started writing a letter to Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and others in the Pantheon.

Received by Palliverse today was an email from one of the major shipping companies with a desire to “try to make it happen.” I have passed on the details to the family to make direct contact.

This is the most promising lead so far.

Fingers crossed to the power of 10! Say your prayers folks.

*Updated* 13/05/16 – Palace of Care/I think therefore I am?: #pallanz Mercy mission #getjnrbak

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Hi everyone,

Situation:  

Poppa is my patient. Grandson “Junior” in Sydney unable to fly back to Auckland because of eye injury. Tearful conversation via internet this morning. Two men heartbroken at the thought that they will never be able to hug each other again.

Background:

Poppa very unwell and worsening rapidly, admitted this morning for hospice care.

Family have tried Cruise lines, Courier companies, travel agents to no avail so far.

Assessment:

Re-uniting Poppa with Junior would provide the greatest comfort.

Recommendation:

Spread the word through all available palliative care networks to see if we can #getjnrbak!

It might have to be via sea because of Junior’s eye injury.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Let’s see if we can provide another example of a real world translation from our Palliative Care virtual community of practice.

Cheers,

James

UPDATE 11/05/16 1700 NZT:

Junior’s medical details were obtained with his permission.

Sean Coleman from Air Ambulance NZ has been very helpful, again – Shipping companies contacted – minimum of 4 day trip by ship.

Freighter Travel company contacted.

Suggestions:  Make-a-Wish foundation could be approached?

Anyone know any super-rich people with a spare super-yacht?

UPDATE 12/05/16 1100 NZT:

Cruise ship company contacted.

No commercial flight options available. Low cabin pressure private jet would cost at least $30000+ one way.

The search continues, people have been leaving suggestions in the comments section, thanks.

UPDATE 12/05/16 1700 NZT:

I made contact with P&O Cruises and they did not have anything available this year.

Junior’s family are also exploring freighter ship options apparently there is a Brisbane to Auckland ship sailing next week. Hamish from Freighter Travel also told me about the same possibility, he was very helpful.

Poppa remains very unwell.

Fingers crossed.

UPDATE 13/05/16 1400 NZT:

No news on the travel front, but Poppa woke up and was comfortable today!

Fingers double crossed that its the start of a trend.

interview – Giovanni Galvis, palliative and oncology fellow from Sweden

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Hi Giovanni!

Tell us about yourself . What are you doing in Australia?

Hello, my name is Giovanni Galvis. I was born in Caracas-Venezuela. I studied Medicine in Bogota-Colombia. After my graduation I decided to go to Europe. I have always been fascinated with the history and architecture and of course the good level in research and clinical medicine there. I spent some time in Germany but in 2007 I moved to Sweden where I did research in the beginning and then started my specialty in Clinical Oncology.  I am doing a placement at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre attending the department of Pain and Palliative Care, the breast clinic and the melanoma clinic.

What is your impression of palliative care and cancer care in Australia? Is it different from that in Sweden? How? Continue reading →

Modern dying from a doctor’s perspective

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A thoughtful article regarding our modern attitudes to dying by Dr Craig Bowron, an internist (i.e. physician in internal medicine for us Down Under, or general medicine consultant)

Opting to try all forms of medical treatment and procedures to assuage this guilt is also emotional life insurance: When their loved one does die, family members can tell themselves, “We did everything we could for Mom.”

In my experience, this is a stronger inclination than the equally valid (and perhaps more honest) admission that “we sure put Dad through the wringer those last few months.”

I agree with Dr Bowron, that sometimes we may not consider the cost to the person (not the financial cost, other costs) of being able to say, “We did everything we could.”

What do you think? Does this apply where you are?

Regards, Sonia

PS Thanks to Tegan, a social worker I work with, for pointing me to this article.

I think therefore I am? – Palliative Care for Chinese People: An insider’s look

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Hiya folks,

I’m presenting at Grand Round tomorrow on the above subject.

Pasted below are the Tipsheets I prepared as a take-away for the presentation.

At the bottom is a link for printable PDF versions.

Enjoy, James.

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2Chinese Culture Tipsheet PDF Version