E-News January 2007

In this issue…

1. Save the Date! 2008 National Congress in February

2. NCI-Sponsored City of Hope Project Seeks Applicants
3. The Last Hours of Living: Practical Advice for Clinicians
4. Self-Study Pain Management Packet for Physicians
5. Call for Papers for Nursing Science Quarterly

RESOURCES

6. Virtual Reality Escapes Reality of Pain In Peds Patients

READINGS

7. First Osteopathic Palliative Medicine Fellowship in United States
8. Family Caregiving to Those With Dementia in Rural Alabama
9. Final Exam. A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality
10. Treating the Homeless at End of Life

CONFERENCES

11. Trauma, PTSD and Traumatic Grief: Practical Assessments and Interventions
12.   9th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research
13.   Innovative Technology: Pioneering Pathways to Health
14.   Professional Development Workshop: Best Practices in Teaching
15. Future Directions in the Delivery of Fluids and Drugs in the Palliative    Hospice Setting
16. 32nd Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society
17. Caring for Mind, Body and Spirit
18. Supportive Care Coalition 2008 National Congress

NEWS

1. Save the Date! 2008 National Congress in February
Plan to join the Supportive Care Coalition in San Antonio, TX for the 2008 National Congress - Recovering Our Traditions III, set for February 10-13. Plans are still being finalized and will be shared here and on the Coalition Web Site as they become available, www.supportivecarecoalition.org

OPPORTUNITIES

2. NCI-Sponsored City of Hope Project Seeks Applicants
Applications accepted through January 31, 2007 & March 15, 2007

Applications for participation in an innovative educational project led by the City of Hope, Advocating for Clinical Excellence in Palliative Care (ACE Project) are now being accepted. The project is seeking a broad representation of participants who work in a variety of settings caring for patients across the life span. Applicants from diverse backgrounds and whose institution serves diverse populations are encouraged to apply.
Course 1- June 12-15, 2007 (Deadline January 31, 2007)
Course 2- October 23-26, 2007 (Deadline March 15, 2007)
For more information and an application, contact Maren Spolum, (626) 256-4673 Ext. 63941, or visit http://www.cityofhope.org/ACEproject

3. The Last Hours of Living: Practical Advice for Clinicians CME/CE
Valid for credit through August 28, 2007

This program makes innovative use of text and video to showcase clinical concerns in the last hours of living, including managing feeding and hydration, changes in consciousness, delirium, pain, breathlessness and secretions. The curriculum was developed, with funding from NCI's Office of Education and Special Initiatives (OESI), by the EPEC project team based at Northwestern University, with partnership support from the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/5808?src=0_nl_cme_6#3

4. Self-Study Pain Management Packet for Physicians
“Pain Management at the End of Life: A Physician’s Self-Study Packet” covers the clinical issues, ethical considerations and common myths of pain management. The packet is accredited for continuing medical education and includes tools for clinicians, such as pain scales, pain assessment guides, equianalgesic charts, “Pain Pearls,” Web resources, and a pocket guide. The program has been cited by the FDA and noted as a Best Practice by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives. For more information, contact the hospice council at 800-438-5963 or visit www.mainehospicecouncil.org.

5. Call for Papers for Nursing Science Quarterly
Nursing Science Quarterly invites healthcare specialists to submit material on topics including, but not limited, to: Nursing as a Human Science, Nursing Theory–Guided Practice, Nursing Theory–Guided Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Quality of Life, Conceptual Models, Ethical Dilemmas, Teaching-Learning Related to Nursing Frameworks and Theories. Manuscripts should be submitted by e-mail to Debra Bournes at dbournes@sympatico.ca., http://nsq.sagepub.com/

RESOURCES

6. Virtual Reality Escapes Reality of Pain In Peds Patients
SnowWorld, a virtual reality game designed at the University of Washington’s Virtual Reality Analgesia Research Center, lessens the pain that pediatric burn patients feel as their wounds are treated. Not only does SnowWorld distract them, but also it takes away the anticipatory aspect of pain since the child cannot see when his/her burned skin is going to be stretched or treated. http://www.hitl.washington.edu/projects/vrpain/
Hospice News Network

READINGS

7. First Osteopathic Palliative Medicine Fellowship in United States
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently profiled the work of Dr. Rakesh Saini, the only Arlington, TX, physician certified in hospice and palliative care. The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and Universal Health Services, where Saini is associate medical director, have become partners in offering the first osteopathic palliative medicine fellowship in the country. Hospice News Network

8. Family Caregiving to Those With Dementia in Rural Alabama: Racial Similarities and Differences
This study explored differences and similarities in the experiences of African American and Caucasian family caregivers of dementia patients living in rural Alabama. The cross-sectional survey of 74 Caucasian and 67 African American caregivers used a care giving stress model to investigate the interrelationships between care giving burden, mediators and outcomes. Telephone interviews to obtain data on a probability sample indicated Caucasian caregivers used acceptance and humor as coping styles and had fewer financial concerns. African American caregivers gave more hours of care, used religion and denial as coping styles and were less burdened. Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 19, No. 1, 3-21 (2007) http://jah.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/1/62

9. Final Exam. A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality
By instinct and by training, doctors are in the business of saving lives, not ending them, shares Dr. Pauline W. Chen in her book Final Exam. And they avoid what she calls "the final exam," the emotional challenges posed by terminally ill patients. Chen, a surgeon specializing in liver transplants, is her own patient in Final Exam, a series of thoughtful, moving essays on the troubled relationship between modern medical practice and the emotional events surrounding death. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/10/books/10grimes.html?em&ex=1168664400&en=51fa98c0a4045aab&ei=5087%0A

10. Treating the Homeless at End of Life
“End-of-Life Care for Homeless Patients,” a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlighted the challenges the homeless face that affect their ability to engage in end-of-life advanced planning, adhere to medications and find an adequate site to receive terminal care. Employing a multidisciplinary team to care for homeless patients can help address their needs and improve care. JAMA, Vol. 296, No. 24, 2959-2966. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/24/2959?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=End+of+Life+Care+for+Homeless+Patients&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

CONFERENCES

11. Trauma, PTSD and Traumatic Grief: Practical Assessments and Interventions
January & February 2007 / Various Locations
Sponsored by Pesi

The seminar objective is to offer a wide variety of assessment tools and intervention techniques for working with traumatized people and those who have experienced traumatic loss. www.pesi.com

12. 9th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research
February 8-10, 2007 / Hollywood, CA
Sponsored by the Oncology Nursing Society

Get the latest information on the issues facing oncology nurse researchers, clinical trials nurses, and APNS. www.ons.org

13. Innovative Technology: Pioneering Pathways to Health
March 23-26, 2007 / Omaha, NE
Sponsored by Midwest Nursing Research Society

Conference offerings include keynotes, more than 200 oral presentations, 100 poster presentations and 27 research section meetings. http://www.resourcenter.net/Scripts/4Disapi4.dll/4DCGI/events/107.html?Action=Conference_Detail&ConfID_W=107&

14. Professional Development Workshop: Best Practices in Teaching
March 23 & 24, 2007 / Atlanta, GA
Sponsored by EPEC Project

This workshop is designed to assist medical professionals improve and advance skills in educating and engaging the audience in a variety of teaching settings. www.epec.net

15. Future Directions in the Delivery of Fluids and Drugs in the Palliative Hospice Setting
Free Web cast / Available anytime through September 2007
Sponsored by Cleveland Clinic

This activity discusses hydration management at the end of life with subcutaneous administration of fluids and parenteral drug administration in the palliative care setting. www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/futuredirections

16. 32nd Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society
April 24-27, 2007 / Las Vegas, NV
Sponsored by Oncology Nursing Society

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas, at least as far as the ONS Congress goes. Participants will take home new knowledge and information about best practices and techniques in cancer care - including chemotherapy, symptom management, radiation, patient education, disease management and more. http://www.ons.org/meetings/congress07/

17. Caring for Mind, Body and Spirit:
Psychosocial, Bereavement and Spiritual Needs at the End of Life
Sponsored by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
July 30 - August 1, 2007 / Albuquerque, NM

Intensive educational sessions focused on the psychosocial, bereavement and spiritual needs at the end of life will be offered, as well as opportunities for participants to meet colleagues to share successes and challenges.
http://www.nhpco.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=4933

18. Supportive Care Coalition 2008 National Congress
February 10 – 13, 2008 / San Antonio, TX

Save the date! Details to follow.