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Palliative care

Last days of life podcast

Helping patients navigate the last days of life in the community can be a significant challenge for primary healthcare professionals.... View Article

April 2024

Navigating the last days of life: a general practice perspective

Navigating the last days of life can feel like an insurmountable challenge; both for people with a terminal illness and for the... View Article

September 2023

Managing pain in the last days of life

Pain is often feared by people in the last days of life and if not adequately controlled, it can negatively impact their remaining... View Article

September 2023

Managing nausea and vomiting in the last days of life

Nausea and vomiting in the last days of life are often a cause of significant distress for patients and their family/whānau. A... View Article

September 2023

Managing delirium and psychological symptoms in the last days of life

When delirium occurs in the last days of life it is usually irreversible. Pharmacological treatment is only required for patients... View Article

September 2023

Managing dyspnoea in the last days of life

Dyspnoea is commonly experienced by people who are nearing the end of life. Once reversible causes have been addressed, management... View Article

September 2023

Managing excessive respiratory secretions in the last days of life

Excessive respiratory secretions result when the person becomes too weak to clear their airways in the last days of life. The... View Article

September 2023

Understanding the role of palliative care for people with advanced dementia

Advanced dementia is a terminal condition for which palliative care is appropriate, however, knowing when to initiate this process... View Article

April 2020

Symptom management in palliative dementia care

Physical symptoms commonly experienced by people with advanced dementia include pain, difficulties with hydration and nutrition,... View Article

April 2020

Methylnaltrexone is a subsidised treatment option for opioid-induced constipation in palliative care

Methylnaltrexone injections are now subsidised for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation for patients in palliative care.... View Article

January 2018

Upfront - End-of-life care for patients with chronic disease: have we made a difference?

In late 2011 we published an article on end-of-life care for patients with respiratory failure, contributed by Professor D. Robin... View Article

March 2015

The optimal management of patients with COPD - Part 2: Stepwise escalation of treatment

This article contains some information on the use of inhaled medicines for COPD treatment that is no longer current. More recent... View Article

February 2015

Strong opioids for pain management in adults in palliative care

Pain is estimated to be the most prevalent symptom preceding all deaths occurring in a palliative care setting. Strong opioids... View Article

December 2012

When and how to use a syringe driver in palliative care

Syringe drivers are often required to provide medicines for symptom management in patients who are terminally ill. They provide... View Article

November 2012

Managing breathlessness in palliative care

Breathlessness is a complex and subjective symptom that is commonly experienced by people who are nearing the end of life. Once... View Article

October 2012

A new model for cancer care in New Zealand

An ageing population, earlier diagnosis and advances in oncology treatment are contributing to a rising number of cancer survivors... View Article

October 2012

End-of-life care for patients with chronic disease: the need for a paradigm shift

It is increasingly apparent that our current model of care does not provide what is best for patients at end-of-life. No one clinical... View Article

November 2011

Treatment for the dying patient: The Liverpool Care pathway

This article has been removed as the Liverpool Care Pathway was discontinued in 2014 following a national review in the United... View Article

June 2011

Strategies to improve nutrition in elderly people

Many older people suffer from the “anorexia of ageing”. The best option for treating malnutrition is to enhance normal... View Article

August 2008

Dilemmas: Alternative remedies and lifestyle measures for longevity

The development and marketing of anti-ageing products is a multi-million dollar industry. There is no shortage of remedies and... View Article

February 2008