Resources | Project ECHO – Enhancing Palliative Care

Project ECHO – Enhancing Palliative Care:

RESOURCES

Below you will find each Session recordings, presentation slides and resources discussed and presented during the series.

Only the didactic presentations are recorded during the ECHO series sessions. We do not record session discussions and case presentations are not recorded.

SESSION ONE | 17^TH August 2022

Presentation Slides:

Symptom Assessment and Management | Part I – Dr Olivia Rygorowicz

Resources:

The PCOC Symptom Assessment Scale (SAS): A valid measure for daily use at point of care and in palliative care programs
Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT™)

SESSION TWO | 14th September 2022

Presentation Slides:

Resources:

Opioids for breathlessness: A narrative review – Article by Miriam J Johnson and David C. Currow

SESSION THREE | 12th October 2022

Presentation Slides:

Deprescribing – Julian Soriano, Palliative Pharmacist

Resources:

SESSION FOUR | 9th November 2022

Advance Care Planning is a process of reflection, discussion and communication that enables a person to plan for their future medical treatment and other care, for a time when they are not competent to make, or communicate, decisions for themselves.

Presentation Slides:

Dr Chris Moy, MBBS, FRACGP, FAMA, Adelaide SA

Chair, SA Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Taskforce

Chris is an Adelaide GP with a long-standing involvement in the areas of aged care, end of life decision making, palliative care and digital health at both state and national levels. He is a former member of the Expert Advisory Group of the SA Advance Care Directives Review, SA Health End of Life Working Group and GP Advisor to the former SA GP Palliative Shared Care Program, and a current member of the SA End of Life Care Strategy Program Board.

SA Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Conference:

SA Health is facilitating the SA Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Conference to be held virtually on Wednesday 16th November.

See the SA Voluntary Assisted Dying Virtual Conference Program (PDF 592KB).

Resources:

Websites:

SESSION FIVE | 7th December 2022

‘It can often be difficult to be certain that a person is dying. Recognising when a person’s death is approaching is an important clinical skill as it allows the healthcare team and the person, family, and carers to prepare. When someone dies at home, the family need to know what happens. This can be discussed before the death so that they are aware of what they need to do when death occurs. It is not always possible to have a health professional present at the time of a person’s death, particularly if the person is at home, therefore planning, education and family reassurance are very important in providing supportive, strengths based palliative care. It is important that families are prepared, with plenty of written information such as a list of who to call. When people are upset they may not remember what they have been told.’

Presentation Slides:

Dr Russell Shute, MBBS., FRACGP., Adelaide SA – Lead Facilitator and GP Advisor Project ECHO, Specialist Palliative Care GP and Medical Writer, University SA

Terminal Phase and Responsibilities After Death

Resources:

Websites:

Coroners Telephone Number:

(08) 8204 0600

SESSION SIX | 18th January 2023

“Everyone at some point will experience the death of someone close to them. Grief is the normal emotional reaction to loss, but the course and consequences of bereavement will vary for each individual. Palliative care integrates the psychological, spiritual, and cultural aspects of care, and offers a support system to help carers and families cope during the person’s illness and in bereavement.

Grief can be experienced across many domains including emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual, where a person’s experience of grief can vary widely, often influenced by culture, gender, and belief systems. Bereavement can be emotionally intense, destabilising and exhausting.”

Presentation Slides:

Samantha McDonnell – Bereavement Service Coordinator Central Adelaide Palliative Care Service

Elizabeth Wright – Psychosocial Lead Central Adelaide Palliative Care Service

Grief and Bereavement

Resources:

Websites:

SA Health Website | For The Bereaved

SESSION SEVEN | 15th January 2023

Depression is a common condition in individuals receiving palliative care and can result from the emotional and psychological stress of a serious illness, as well as from physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and loss of independence. Depression can lead to feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and decreased energy and motivation, and it can also interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in treatment and care decisions.

Mental health considerations are important in palliative care because individuals receiving palliative care may also experience a range of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, delirium, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can further complicate an individual’s experience of serious illness and can have a significant impact on their quality of life.

‘The quality of palliative care has great significance in improving the mental health of patients’.

Presentation Slides:

Professor Gregory Crawford

Professor Greg Crawford is a palliative medicine physician with a significant clinical workload. He is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education and research. He leads and participates in a wide range of research projects with qualitative, quantitative, and clinical trial methodologies. He has skills in community engagement and has been recognised by University of Adelaide Executive Dean’s medal, Vice Chancellors award, the John Sands medal from RACP and was appointed as a Member in the Order of Australia in 2022 for his contribution to palliative medicine and tertiary education. He has held many leadership roles in multiple palliative care organisations nationally and internationally and is currently collaborating in international systematic reviews and clinical guideline development projects.

We are extremely grateful for his support of our Project ECHO – Enhancing Palliative Care.

Depression and Mental Health Considerations

Resources:

Websites:

SESSION EIGHT | 15th March 2023

“How people die remains in the memory of those who live on” – Cicely Saunders

“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” – Cicely Saunders

SAAS Extended Care Paramedics (ECPs) are Intensive Care Paramedics who have completed specialised training, skills enhancement, and placements. They are all registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

ECPs provide alternative care pathways for patients, assist in providing appropriate choices for patients, and reducing unnecessary transport to hospital. Attendance by an ECP reduces the disruption to patients and their carers associated with a trip to hospital. If, after assessment, the patient still needs to go to hospital, the ECP will arrange this. Patients receive tailored care and, if needed, will be managed in collaboration with other health professionals such as GPs, Specialists, and allied health care providers.

Home is the preferred place of care for most palliative patients, and when they reach the end stage of their illness, their preferred place of death. But primary health care provision for this patient group is inconsistent and mostly provided by family, loved ones or residential care staff who feel unconfident in providing such care. These anxious carers often call emergency services for urgent help as they witness the worrying and unexpected symptoms of disease deterioration or dying, thus making Paramedics and the Ambulance Service the patient’s first point of contact in primary care. An understanding is needed of the role of paramedics in palliative and end of life care, and a relationship with GPs is important.

‘Paramedics are in a unique position to help deliver palliative and end-of-life care in the home, especially after-hours for palliative care emergencies.’

Presentation Slides:

Andrew Noble

Andrew Noble is a Clinical Team Leader and Extended Care Paramedic, Specialist Services, SA Ambulance Service. Andrew has been a Paramedic with SA Ambulance for 25 years. During that time, he has also worked as a rescue paramedic at Uluru and in the Solomon Islands. He is currently a Clinical Team Leader with the Extended Care Paramedic team and has been with them since its inception in 2009. As well as being a Clinical Team Leader, he coordinates their education and training.

We are extremely grateful for his support of our Project ECHO – Enhancing Palliative Care.

South Australian Extended Care Paramedic Service – SA Ambulance

Resources:

Websites:

SESSION NINE | 12th April 2023

“This illness has completely diminished my quality of life. When I got here, they told me ‘you don’t have to hurt. We are here to help.’” Helen Snow (At end of life)

Palliative care aims to prevent and relieve suffering and improve the quality of life of people (adults, children and their families) facing problems associated with life-limiting illness and at end-of-life. Palliative care can be delivered by a wide range of health and community providers, is not limited to any specific condition, can be delivered at any stage of illness, and can accompany curative treatments. With an ageing and growing population, it is projected that the demand for palliative care and end-of-life care will rise substantially.

By understanding and having access to accurate, up-to-date palliative care information, resources, tools, and contacts, GPs can provide better care to their palliative patients, leading to improved quality of care, increased patient and family satisfaction, better communication, improved coordination of care, and reduced healthcare costs.

Presentation Slides:

Russell Shute