A palliative care journal publishing research, reviews and editorials to aid all clinicians supporting patients with life limiting illnesses.

Virtual reality interventions for mental health and well-being in palliative care: systematic review and narrative synthesis – outcomes, techniques, processes and mechanisms ...

Introduction Frail older people are known to have low rates of advance care planning (ACP). Many frail patients prefer less aggressive treatment, but these preferences are often not known or respected ...

Objective To explore differences in end-of-life healthcare utilisation and medication costs between patients with haematological malignancies and patients with solid tumours. Methods Data on deceased ...

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to surpass the healthcare system’s capacity to provide intensive care to all patients who deteriorate as a result of the disease. This poses a unique challenge to ...

Background Virtual reality (VR) technology as a therapeutic intervention has been gaining attention in healthcare settings in recent years. Studies suggest that using the technology can help alleviate ...

Background Bereaved people need a supportive response from those around them. Knowing children’s and surviving parents' needs following parental death is the first step to ensuring a supportive ...

Objectives Evidence-based communication skills training for health and social care professionals is essential to improve the care of seriously ill patients and their families. We aimed to evaluate the ...

Objectives Bereavement is associated with negative affective, cognitive, behavioural and physiological responses. However, factors, such as coping, self-efficacy and self-esteem, can buffer negative ...

Objectives There is limited evidence of the impact of advance care planning (ACP) on outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on deaths of all patients known to a hospice in a 2.5-year ...

Background Cancers of the digestive system can be associated with disturbing and disabling symptoms, which can contribute to a negative psychological pressure on patients. Aim To investigate the ...

Objectives To explore whether advance care planning is associated with place of death in England, as well as with sufficiency of support to care for a dying person at home, overall quality of care and ...