Search

Program Goals: Simulation training or role playing has been shown to improve learning for physician trainees and has been used to teach and develop communication skills. Studies of one-time communication training for pediatric sub-specialty fellows show short-term improvement compared with self-directed reading; however, three-month follow-up shows nearly complete attrition of skills learned. There are no studies that have analyzed …

Background: Although the field of pediatric palliative care (PPC) remains in its infancy, over the past decade it has grown in practice and scope. We report on patient referral patterns to a new PPC team at a free-standing children's hospital. Objective: Our aim is to provide a descriptive comparison of the patient population seen by our new program as compared to existing literature. Methods: We examined our database of patient referral and demographic data and compared our data with published reports. Conclusions: Our team was operating beyond its predicted year-one volume with a patient population that mirrored larger, more established programs. In an era of growth and acceptance of PPC, hospitals that have undergone a strong needs assessment, significant educational effort, and have a strong prediction of patient volume should expect to be operating at projected capacity quickly.

cases. A significant relationship was found between presence of PC diagnoses and ECM, [p 1⁄4 0.01]. EASI question #2 (preventing access to resources/people/medical care, p1⁄40.02), #3 (verbal shaming, p

Describe 3 approaches to enhance collaboration between palliative care and cancer researchers. Successful integration of palliative care with oncologic care requires an understanding of specific challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Among challenges, the taskofmeetingpalliative careneedswhile supportingpatients, families, and clinicians who wish to continue cancer-directed treatment, including experimental therapies, is especially complex. Rapid developments in oncologic therapies with better outcomes for some malignancies may make it harder to establish realistic and appropriate goals of care. Other important issues include the appropriate distribution of responsibilities for palliative care within the healthcare team, so that not only are the contributions of clinicians across disciplines and professions valued, optimized, and coordinated, but also that patients with cancer receive the benefits of both generalists and specialists in palliative care. Effective collaboration between palliative care and cancer researchers is essential to enhance the evidentiary foundation for integrated care and to ensure attention to the palliative needs of patients participating in clinical trials. In addition, the development of innovative strategies is neededaswemakeprogress in educating the clinical workforce, including oncologists, other generalists, andpalliative care specialists toprovidepalliative care together with cancer care. Models of integration of palliative care in oncologymust fit the needs of patients, families, and providers in community settings (inpatient and outpatient), where most cancer care in the US is delivered, as well as in academic referral centers. Finally, in our rapidly changing healthcare environment, palliative caremust be paired with cancer care in ways that are appropriate across different systems for reimbursement, including distinctive systems that apply in some care hospitals. In the proposed workshop, we will bring together individuals with relevant expertise from across the country to provide an interprofessional perspective, help participants think about key topics, and engage them in envisioning the future for palliative care at the forefront of cancer care.

After years of the palliative care community calling for more open access to hospice services, pediatric patients are now eligible to receive simultaneous hospice services and disease-directed therapy. We report on five types of challenges that our team has experienced when implementing concurrent care, illustrated through case studies of three medically complex pediatric patients.

On my second placement I worked in a medical ward. I helped to care for a patient who was prone to falling, had multiple conditions and was generally frail. A care of the elderly review was required for this patient as he was unable to carry out most activities of living without some assistance, particularly mobilising, personal cleansing and dressing.