News

It is uncertain how each of us will die and how we will experience the declining capacity to manage everyday activities as we approach death. Dr Deidre Morgan from Flinders University discusses her recent study evaluating the trajectories of functional decline of Australian patients receiving specialist palliative care and how the findings can provide guidance about resource allocation.

Professor Imogen Mitchell discusses her role as a practising intensive care specialist and the value of evidence to inform decisions not only about individual patient care but the use of evidence in business discussions to improve the delivery of health care. Imogen highlights you can access this trustworthy information about the palliative approach to end-of-life care through CareSearch and the importance of CareSearch providing invaluable, up-to-date evidence. 

In health care the role of evidence in decision making is recognised by health care practitioners and providers, and relates to understanding the balance between the potential benefits and harms of any practice, treatment or intervention. Dr Katrina Erny-Albrecht of CareSearch discusses the importance of independent, critical appraisal and synthesis of evidence into reliable, practical guidance for recipients and providers of care.

The pattern of disease, dying and death has changed dramatically in Australia over the last century. In Australia alone almost 160,000 people die every year. Of these at least 120,000 are expected deaths, meaning that access to palliative care could be of great benefit to both the individuals and their families. But ensuring access to quality palliative care for all who need it is not without its challenges. This is why a group of researchers sought funding from National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for the Centre of Research Excellence in End-of-Life Care (CRE-ELC).

The end of the year has come around again, and what would Christmas be without some holiday reading? So for our last blog in 2016, we thought we’d share some seasonal treats.

A few years ago, the December 2013 Nurses Hub News (106kb pdf) created a set of Christmas offerings that is worth revisiting:

• Case Study: Ornithophobia and the 12 days of Christmas (122kb pdf)
• Pharmacy Update: Santa’s health considerations (182kb pdf)
• OHS update: Christmas edition (103kb pdf)