E-news February 2007

Vol. 8, No.  2

1.   Message for World Day of the Sick Includes Palliative Care Focus
On February 11, 2007, when the Catholic Church keeps the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, The Fifteenth World Day of the Sick will be celebrated in Seoul, Korea. In his message for the observance, Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes dignity and the need for more integral palliative care.  To read the entire message, http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/sick/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20061208_world-day-of-the-sick-2007_en.html

2.   National Quality Forum Report for Palliative and Hospice Care
A new report outlining a national framework and preferred practices for palliative and hospice care quality has been issued by National Quality Forum, NQF.  Based in part on the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, issued in 2004 by the National Consensus Project, the new report is intended to be the first step in developing a comprehensive quality measurement and reporting system for palliative care and hospice services. The report also identifies a set of preferred practices designed to improve palliative and hospice care.  To view the executive summary of the report and list of preferred practices,
http://www.qualityforum.org/publications/reports/palliative.asp

3.  Two New Position Statements for HPNA
The Hospice and Palliative Nurse Association has adopted two new position statements – one on Spiritual Care and the other on the Value of the Advanced Practice Nurse in Palliative Care.  To view these statements, as well as others previously adopted by HPNA, please visit http://www.hpna.org/DisplayPage.aspx?Title=Position%20Statements

4.   ABMS Subspecialty Certification in Palliative Medicine Next Year
Starting in 2008, family physicians, internists and doctors in eight other specialties can be board certified in hospice and palliative medicine. This is the first time 10 American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member boards have collaborated to offer certification in one specialty.  Co-sponsoring the new certification are the Boards for family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, anesthesiology, psychiatry and neurology, radiology and surgery.  "Each of the co-sponsoring Boards recognizes the growing importance of this area of medicine," said James C. Puffer,MD, president and CEO of the American Board of Family Medicine. The new certificate will be offered to physicians who hold specialty or subspecialty certification by one of the 10 sponsoring Boards. The first exam will likely be offered in 2008.

5.   Save the Date!  2008 National Congress in February
Plan to join the Supportive Care Coalition in San Antonio, Texas for the 2008 National Congress - Recovering Our Traditions III, set for February 10-12.  Plans are still being finalized and will be shared here and on the Coalition Web site as they become available.  Registration will begin in the fall,  www.supportivecarecoalition.org

 
OPPORTUNITIES

6.   Papers Sought:  Preparing Elders for End of Life, Other Topics
Submissions accepted through May 1, 2007

The Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association is seeking papers for a special issue, "Poverty, Mental Health and Development across the Lifespan" for the October/November 2007 issue. Articles on all aspects of the complex interaction of poverty and mental health with human development are desired.  Suggested ideas include helping depressed, low-income elders prepare for the end of life. For further information about this issue, contact Linda Beeber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN, 919-966-8148, or  beeber@email.unc.edu.  http://www.apna.org/news/japna-feb012007.html

7.   Annual IAHPC Institutional Award
Submissions accepted through December for current year's award

The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care presents one recognition award of $2,000 to an institution that has implemented and is actively operating a successful palliative care unit, program or department.  The objective is to support the development of models of care for palliative care throughout the world.  http://www.hospicecare.com/Awards/

8.   Annual IAHPC Individual Award - Vittorio Ventafridda Award
Submissions accepted through December for current year's award

The purpose of this $2,000 individual recognition, offered by the International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care, is to increase recognition of and bring attention to individuals dedicated to the service of patients with progressive, incurable illness and their families. Lay workers and clinicians will be considered for the award.
http://www.hospicecare.com/Awards/

RESOURCES

9.   Core Curriculum for the Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative Nurse 
The goal of this curriculum is to provide a foundation of knowledge from which APNs can practice palliative care. The book is divided into three sections: an introduction to the roles, advanced skills and issues facing APNs in hospice and palliative care; management of complex life limiting, progressive illnesses; and special clinical issues. The curriculum is also a resource for any APN working with patients with life-limiting illness.   For further information, please visit the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Web site, http://www.hpna.org/Publications_Home.aspx

10.  On-line Palliative Care Course in Spanish
This Web based course, Principles and Practice in Palliative Care is available at www.e-oncologia.org

READINGS

11.  Treating the Homeless at End of Life
“End-of-Life Care for Homeless Patients”, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlights the challenges the homeless face affecting 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

12.  The Hope of Professional Caregivers Caring for Persons at End of Life
This mixed method study’s goal was to describe the hope of professional palliative caregivers.  Analysis of the 113 submissions suggested that the subjects described their hope as peace, a better future, spirituality and making a difference.  Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing Vol. 9 No. 1, January/February 2007.

13.  Can Religious Belief Undermine Competence?
A new way of thinking about how religion affects capacity is the subject of this lead article in the January-February 2007 issue of the Hastings Center Report.  Adrienne Martin gives the case of “Mary,” who believes that a less aggressive and statistically less successful treatment option will be successful for her. Mary has heard her doctors explain the treatment facts, but she believes that God will intervene in her care. Martin asks whether Mary has the ability to make her own health care decisions – an ability usually called competence. Martin’s recommendation is that we distinguish competence from rational decision-making capacity. http://www.thehastingscenter.org/announcements/2007/01/announcement200701.asp

14.  The Healing Power of Listening in the ICU
This article provides a five-part system for attending more fully to patient and family needs for seriously ill patients and includes recommendations to improve care for those who are dying in ICUs.  New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 356, No. 5, 513-515, February 1, 2007.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/356/5/513

CONFERENCES

15.  In Life and in Death We Belong to God
March 12-14, 2007 / Durham, North Carolina
Sponsored by Duke Institute on Care at End of Life

Explore the theological, medical and practical dimensions of end-of-life care and walk away with knowledge to improve care for members in your congregation and community.  Theologians, church leaders, and health care professionals will lead over 25 workshops on topics on end-of-life care issues.  For more information and to register,  www.iceol.duke.edu/pcusa.

16.  Calculating Financial Outcomes for Hospital Palliative Care
Audio conference
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 / 1:30 - 2:30 pm Eastern

Participants will learn how palliative care programs change resource utilization and reduce hospital costs, methodologies commonly used to evaluate palliative care program financial outcomes, published and unpublished case studies of palliative care financial outcomes, variables that influence financial outcomes, and best practices for tracking service activity and outcomes.  www.capc.org

17.  Living With Grief: Before and After the Death
Teleconference
March 22, 2007 / 1:30-4:00pm EDT
Sponsored by Hospice Foundation of America

This teleconference, as well as the accompanying book, will explore the most current theoretical perspectives on loss and grief as experienced by persons throughout a life-limiting illness and by survivors after the death. A particular focus will be paid to areas where understandings of grief have been challenged.  To register, please visit http://orders.balmar.com/hospice_sc/entrance.asp?companyid=48

18.  Palliative Care:  Best Practice for Advanced Illness
March 28-29, 2007 / Minneapolis, MN
Sponsored by Allina Hospitals and Clinics

This two-day course will focus on foundational knowledge for best practices.  www.allina.com

19.  Integrative Medicine for Health Care Organizations
April 12-14, 2007 / San Diego, CA
Sponsored by Health Forum and the American Hospital Association

Health care leaders from all over the nation and from a variety of settings will share their stories and offer practical techniques that may be applied to an organization or in a community setting.  http://www.hhnmag.com/healthforum/html/cam/cam_education.html

20.  17th Ontario Provincial Conference on Palliative and End-of-Life Care
April 22-24, 2007 / London, Ontario Canada
Sponsored by Humber/Ontario Palliative Care Association

This conference is open to physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurse practitioners, educators, social workers, case managers and others working in palliative care.  www.palliativecare.humber.ca

21.  4th Annual National Summit on Health Disparities
April 23-24, 2007 / Washington, DC
Sponsored by National Minority Quality Forum

Congressional members, clinical experts and senior representatives
From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration will be speaking. The summit will include accredited clinical sessions addressing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV, renal disease, obesity, cancer and mental illness disparities. Registration is free to all physicians. http://www.nmhmf.org/summitagenda.aspx

22.  3rd Global Summit National Associations of Hospice and Palliative Care
September 17-18, 2007 / Nairobi, Kenya

For more information, please visit http://www.wwpca.net/index.asp

23.  Palliative Care:  Best Practice for Advanced Illness
November 13-14, 2007 / St. Paul, MN
Sponsored by Allina Hospitals and Clinics

This two-day course will focus on foundational knowledge for best practices.  www.allina.com