Virtual reality technology for pain management in advanced cancer.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primarily, to determine the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) intervention compared to an alternative or no intervention for people living with advanced cancer: on pain intensity, adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs); and secondarily, on additional pain properties (e.g.

Artificial intelligence and large language models in palliative medicine clinical practice and education.

As we approach 2034, we anticipate significant advancements in digital technologies and their impact across various domains, including palliative and end-of-life care and perhaps higher education more generally. Predicting technological breakthroughs, especially in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), is notoriously difficult. In a sense, you might need an AI to do this effectively.

Virtual consultations: the experience of oncology and palliative care healthcare professionals.

Objectives: To maintain continuity of care during the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual consultations (VC) became the mainstay of patient-healthcare practitioner interactions. The aim of this study was to explore the views of oncology and palliative care healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the medium of VC.

Method: A cross sectional mixed methodology observational study of oncology and palliative care HCPs, analysed via an inductive thematic approach.

Sunglasses for painful red eye.

We present the case of a 62-year-old man who developed an acutely painful red eye with severe photophobia while in an oncology ward after spinal radiotherapy. In a joint effort between palliative care, oncology and ophthalmology clinicians, he was diagnosed with herpes simplex viral keratitis. This was treated with topical and systemic antiviral medication, as well as corticosteroids.

Seeking Excellence in End of Life Care UK (SEECare UK): a UK multi-centred service evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate the care of patients dying in hospital without support from specialists in palliative care (SPC), better understand their needs and factors influencing their care.

Methods: Prospective UK-wide service evaluation including all dying adult inpatients unknown to SPC, excluding those in emergency departments/intensive care units. Holistic needs were assessed through a standardised proforma.

Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation documentation: a quality improvement project.

Objectives: This quality improvement project looked at enhancing do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) documentation in a Welsh National Health Service trust.

Methods: A full clinical review cycle was carried out, evaluating 50 DNACPR forms in each data collection, totalling 100 forms. The all Wales DNACPR audit template was used to ensure standardised audit criteria.

Speaking up at conference question and answer sessions-disruptive behaviour typography and assessment scale.

Conferences can be a space to present new research, network, and provide an opportunity for learning. Delegates can meet field leaders, peers, top doctors, and international colleagues in various areas of expertise. Challenging behaviours, in particular in the question and answer session, but also during lectures themselves, may reduce overall enjoyment and learning.

How effective is virtual reality technology in palliative care? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The efficacy of virtual reality for people living with a terminal illness is unclear.

Aim: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual reality use within a palliative care setting.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hypercalcaemia to hypocalcaemia: tetany as a side effect of intravenous bisphosphonate treatment.

A woman in her 40s with advanced bladder cancer was admitted to hospital with hypercalcaemia of malignancy. Initially, she presented with non-specific symptoms of malaise, fatigue and general deterioration. She was treated with intravenous fluids and zoledronic acid in order to bring her calcium levels down, but subsequently developed significant hypocalcaemia.

Advance and future care planning: strategic approaches in Wales.

Background: In Wales, the term advance care planning now falls under the wider umbrella term 'Future Care Planning', which also includes patients with diminished mental capacity and their significant others, to engage in deciding and planning future care. Over the last 5 years, work has been undertaken to create education formats, resources and national documents, and this has been informed by a national Advance and Future Care Planning steering group and national conference, which included patient and carer representatives. This helped collate relevant data.

Death cafe in the Welsh valleys-an appraisal.

Background: A death cafe is an event where people drink, eat and discuss death. Death cafes do not follow a set structure and the events are held for free. The mission of death cafes is 'to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives'.

Sadness, despair and anger when a patient dies alone from COVID-19: A thematic content analysis of Twitter data from bereaved family members and friends.

Background: To inform clinical practice and policy, it is essential to understand the lived experience of health and social care policies, including restricted visitation policies towards the end of life.

Aim: To explore the views and experiences of Twitter social media users who reported that a relative, friend or acquaintance died of COVID-19 without a family member/friend present.

Design: Qualitative content analysis of English-language tweets.

'Do not resuscitate me in Barbados'.

New ways of encouraging discussion and education around the topic of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions in healthcare can prove challenging. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is still portrayed as an intervention that is successful even in people with multiple long-term conditions. In 2020, during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a letter from a palliative care doctor to his patient was read out as part of an online campaign entitled #ReadALetter, organised by the organisation Letters Live.

Advance care planning: the future.

Objectives: There is increased global focus on advance care planning (ACP) with attention from policymakers, more education programmes, laws and public awareness campaigns.

Methods: We provide a summary of the evidence about what ACP is, and how it should be conducted. We also address its barriers and facilitators and discuss current and future models of ACP, including a wider look at how to best integrate those who have diminished decisional capacity.

Virtual reality videos used in undergraduate palliative and oncology medical teaching: results of a pilot study.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) immersive environments have been shown to be effective in medical teaching. Our university hospital received funding from our deanery, Health Education in Wales, to film teaching videos with a 360-degree camera.

Aims: To evaluate whether VR is an effective and acceptable teaching environment.

Talk CPR - a technology project to improve communication in do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions in palliative illness.

Background: A national Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation policy was rolled out for the National Health Service in Wales in 2015. A national steering group led on producing information videos and a website for patients, carers and healthcare professionals, forming part of a quality improvement program. Videos were planned, scripted and produced with healthcare professionals and patient/carer representatives, and were completed with both English and Welsh language versions.

State of the science: the doll is dead: simulation in palliative care education.

Objectives: Both simulation and high-fidelity simulation involving manikins, clinical training suites, wards, computer programs and theatres have established themselves in medical undergraduate and postgraduate education. Popular among students, they have been shown to be effective learning tools. Contrasted with this is the potential risk to patients and their proxy associated with learning 'at the bedside', which can pose a real challenge in medical and palliative settings.