Education:Out-of-hours palliative care: what are the educational needs and preferences of general practitioners?

BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 2016, vol 30(3) 362-368
Claire Magee; Jonathan Koffman

This study examines the confidence of out-of-hours general practitioners (GPs) in symptom control and end of life prescribing, and identifies their educational needs and preferences in order to inform recommendations for future education.  The authors conclude that regular e-learning is favoured, but should be blended with other approaches that promote engagement including out-of-hours themed workshops and case discussion. They also suggest that specialist palliative care services should engage with out-of-hours providers to support education.

Full text available in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice, Cambridge

Pharmacovigilance in hospice and palliative care

BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 2016, vol 6(3) 

Two articles in this issue look at the net effects of drugs commonly used in palliative settings - pregablin for neuropathic pain and dexamethasone for anorexia.  They both stem from an international pharmacovigilance programme established to better understand how medications affect hospice/palliative care patients.  The aim in both cases is to add to the evidence base for the use of the drugs in these patients.
  
Full text available in  BMJ Supportive and Palliative care - Pregablin for nueropathic pain

Full text available in  BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care - Dexamethasone for anorexia

Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice Library, Cambridge

Vitamin D and patients with palliative cancer

BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 2016, vol 30(3) 287-91
Linda Bjorkhem-Bergman; Peter Bergman

The authors of this review explore the role of vitamin D in the immune system and discuss its potential value in the palliative care of cancer patients. From the results of their own observational study and a case report they suggest that vitamin D supplementation has a beneficial effect on pain and well-being and could reduce susceptibility to infections.

Full text available in  BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice Library, Cambridge

Progesterone therapy for the treatment of non-cancer cachexia: a systematic review

BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 2016, vol 6(3) 276-86
Joanne K Taylor; Neil Pendleton

The selected studies collated results from 916 patients with HIV/AIDS, end-stage renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and geriatric cachexia.  The authors conclude that current evidence does not support the use of progesterone therapies for non-cancer cachexia. There may however be a limited role for its use as an appetite stimulant in a palliative context on a case-by-case basis.

Full text available in  BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care
Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice, Cambridge

The bereavement experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans* people who have lost a partner: A systematic review, thematic synthesis and modelling of the literature

Palliative Medicine; Sep 2016; vol. 30(8) 730-744

Bristowe, Katherine; Marshall, Steve; Harding, Richard

The studies identified in this review described universal experiences of the pain of losing a partner; however, additional barriers and stressors were reported for lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans* people, including homophobia, failure to acknowledge the relationship, additional legal and financial issues and the 'shadow' of HIV or AIDS. A novel model was developed to explain how the experience for lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans* people is shaped by whether the relationship was disclosed and acknowledged in life and into bereavement and how this impacts upon needs and access to care. 

Full text available in  Palliative Medicine

Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice Library. Cambridge