2021; Volume 22, No 6, June

A Spanish Version of the Global PC Database Is Now Online

The Global Palliative Care Database, launched in November 2020, now has a Spanish version to better serve Latin America as well as Spanish-speaking providers globally.

The database collects information specific to the first palliative care consultation; it is accessible to all IAHPC members. “Since it was launched, the [English] database has attracted 40 users from seven countries: the information generated is excellent,” reports Dr. Robert Wenk, who spearheaded the Spanish version. Dr. Wenk is a director of the IAHPC as well as director of the Programa de Medicina Paliativa – Fundación FEMEBA. IAHPC and FEMEBA collaborated to create the database.

Database aims to fill a
gap of quality information

“Quality details on demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and economic aspects of palliative care patients and family care are lacking,” says Dr. Wenk. “The availability and analysis of this information is important to plan, improve the quality of, and demonstrate the positive impact of palliative care.

“To improve this situation, it is necessary to define and implement methods and standards for the recording, analysis, and use of information in practice and research.”

Made to facilitate comparisons
between services & regions

IAHPC members can participate by recording and analyzing data on patients at the first PC consultation. The database is intended to reflect data from multiple providers, which can facilitate comparisons between palliative care services and regions.

The database project has four objectives:

1. Provide demographic, epidemiological information of adult patients at the time of admission to a palliative care service.
2. Identify prevalent symptoms at the time of the first palliative care consultation.
3. Identify therapeutic interventions recommended for the treatment and management of the symptoms. (Based on the essential package of palliative care medicines, equipment, and human resources identified in the Lancet Commission Report on global access to palliative care and pain relief.)
4. Analyze similarities and differences, and prepare reports for publication.

“It provides rapid data analysis of essential information,” says Dr. Wenk, “using information technology to process information that can be otherwise difficult to analyze.

“We hope that it will be a useful tool for your practice!”

Learn more about FEMEBA Foundation, listed in the IAHPC Global Directory of Palliative Care Institutions and Organizations.

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Wow! 20% Off IAHPC Membership Fees!

IAHPC has reduced membership fees by 20% across all categories until July 31, 2021.

If your membership is still current, the renewal extends your membership for the duration that matches your payment. If your membership has expired, we invite you to renew. You can do either here.

Some discounted rates

Individual membership from a country that is...

• low-income: now just $16
• middle-low: now just $40
• middle-high: now just $76
• high income: now just $132

Institutional membership

• from a high-income country: $320
• from any other country: $240

For those who want to save even more, our two-year and lifetime memberships are also discounted.

Check your country income status (as determined by the World Bank) here.

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3^rd Edition of Getting Started Guidelines Now Available

One of IAHPC Press’s landmark publications (and the most-visited section of our website), Getting Started, has been updated. The third edition, which can be downloaded free of charge, takes you step by step through the process of launching a palliative care service in low- and middle-income countries.

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Opportunity Is Knocking: Be eligible
for an award by referring members

October is Recognition Month, when IAHPC awards a scholarship and a one-year membership to the member who refers the most new or renewing members during the previous 12 months.

Sharing your appreciation of IAHPC can have a big impact! Many of our members were referred by a colleague or friend. As you know, membership is a win-win situation: your colleagues benefit, and so does our organization. Every IAHPC member contributes to the strength and impact of our organization’s global advocacy toward the provision of palliative care and the relief of health-related suffering.

IAHPC Membership Drive Award criteria are posted on the IAHPC Members’ web page. Don’t wait—refer a friend or colleague today!

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Reminders

June 30 Is the Deadline to Apply for IAHPC Conference Scholarships

Pre-pandemic, when IAHPC awarded scholarships to offset the cost of international conferences, attendees had to pay for any added expenses the travel entailed. This year, each IAHPC scholarship covers the entire registration fee: the only thing an applicant needs is time to attend virtually, and access to a computer with reliable Internet.

This makes these conferences more accessible and affordable for members than ever!

IAHPC members (join by clicking here) are eligible for 30 scholarships, 10 for each of three cornerstone conferences:

• the European Association for Palliative Care Congress, October 6-8, 2021;
• the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference 2021 (21OPCC), September 7-10, 2021; and
• the 14^th Asia Pacific Hospice Conference (APHC), November 13-14, 2021.

The application deadline for all three is June 30, 2021. Applicants must be current IAHPC members when applying and at the time of the conference, and be living in a lower income or lower-middle income country in the region where the event is taking place. (To check your country’s income status, go to the World Bank income classification data here.)

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Your Chance of Winning Our Photo Contest
Is MUCH Better Than Any Lottery!

With just eight photos submitted by five people received so far, your chance of being an IAHPC photo contest winner is astronomically high: far better than any lottery!

There are three prizes: $300 US plus a 2-year membership extension, $200 US plus a 1-year membership extension, and $100 US plus a 6-month membership extension.

Every IAHPC member with a smartphone can participate (not a member? join by clicking here). Simply submit up to three photos of your everyday experience at work, as a caregiver, or as a palliative care volunteer.

The deadline to submit photos is August 31, 2021: don’t delay! Send them to us here (or, if the photo includes children under 18, here). Don’t forget to put “Photo Contest” in your submission, with a description of the photo.

For full details about the contest, go here.

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Member news

Watch Over Me: An intimate journey with cancer patients and caregivers

Farida Pacha’s film, Watch Over Me, follows the stellar work of team members of IAHPC institutional member CanSupport in India. The film was screened at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in late May.

Pacha, a Milan-based filmmaker, spent close to two years following the cases of three patients and their caregiver, doctor, and nurse, who watch over them as they confront possible death, prepare their families for the inevitable, and offer advice on medication and any measures that alleviate their suffering.

“The film has struck a chord with a certain age group of people who have had this experience or are going through it,” says Pacha. “I too had gone through something similar. I spent six years after film school caring for my mother, who had Parkinson’s, and my father, who was a heart patient. I saw them degenerate from one day to the next. I never imagined having to make a film on this.”

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In other news

Neuropalliative Care Society Launched

In its June issue, a Lancet article announced the launch of The International Neuropalliative Care Society (INPCS) “to promote the integration of palliative care within neurological services, and has the mission ‘to raise standards of care for all people affected by neurologic illness.’”

The society’s website houses:

• an Education in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (EPEC)-Neurology Curriculum based on an EPEC program by the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
• sections for upcoming meetings, research, job listings, and a discussion forum for members
• a resources section that promises materials to come for health care professionals (International Neuropalliative Care Certificate Course, Neuropalliative Speaker Series) and persons living with serious illness, their family, and advocates (support and educational resources). In the meantime, it offers links to others’ resources (such as: Fast Facts Palliative Care Neurology Core Curriculum; and Neuropalliative Care: A Guide to Improving the Lives of Patients and Families Affected by Neurologic Disease)

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Nominate a Nurse You Know for
“Palliative Care Nurse of the Year”

The International Journal of Palliative Nursing invites nominations from around the world for its 2021 Palliative Care Nurse of the Year Award, which recognizes a nurse who has made a substantial difference to the experience of individuals in the palliative and end-of-life care phase.

The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2021.

Submissions include a short description (no more than 300 words) of why your chosen nurse deserves the award, touching on their impact, innovative or forward thinking, demonstration of good practices, and commitment to palliative care.

Send your nomination(s) to [email protected]. More details can be found on the EAPC blog here. The award will be presented at the 17th World Congress Online of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) – 6-8 October 2021.

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APHN Scholarship & Bursaries

The Asia-Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network is offering one travel scholarship and 10 bursaries (for doctors) to attend its 2021 conference in November. The application deadline is July 31, 2021; you can apply here.

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Learn more about CanSupport, the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), and the Asia-Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, listed in the IAHPC Global Directory of Palliative Care Institutions and Organizations.

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What’s New in the IAHPC Calendar

Belgium

7th International Public Health Palliative Care Conference. In person. September 20-23, 2022, in Bruges.

Spain

XIV Jornadas Internacionales SECPAL. Virtual. October 19 -November 2, 2021.

UK

Foundations of Palliative Care. Virtual course. July 12-20, 2021.

Facing Death Creatively Conference: "Death and Diversity: Exploring Creative Equality and Inclusion." Conference. In person. November 12, 2021, London.

USA

INPCS 1st Annual Conference. Theme: "Taking Flight.” November 4-6, 2021.

Find a workshop, seminar, congress, or conference to interest you in the IAHPC Calendar of Events, updated monthly, that lists activities of special interest to those who work in palliative care. Or submit an event for consideration; it’s free!

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What’s New in the IAHPC Global Directory of Education Programs

New listings

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What’s New in the Global Directory of Palliative Care Institutions and Organizations

New listings

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