The 13th World Congress on Palliative Care Research of the European Palliative Care Society (EAPC) took place in Barcelona from May 16-18. The congress brought together more than 1,000 participants from 63 countries to discuss the future of palliative care research. Topics such as the application of artificial intelligence in Palliative Care, strategies for incorporating patients in clinical trials and therapeutic innovations in the physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of patients were discussed.
The WeCare Chair participated with five communications (one oral and four in the form of posters) and in the moderation of one of the round tables. The oral communication published data from a quasi-experimental, prospective and longitudinal pre-post study on the effectiveness of the ERDAM course of the WeCare Chair in improving the skills, confidence and attitude of professionals in the management of the Wish to Advance Death (DAM). The data come from a sample of 76 participants from the first three editions of the course showing a statistically significant improvement in confidence, knowledge and skills in clinical practice in the face of DAM. These results support the strength of WeCare’s commitment to training on AMD through the ERDAM course, which will open its 5th edition in September 2024. You can consult the paper at the following link:
WeCare also presented data from the multicenter feasibility study of the multidimensional needs assessment model for first encounters with palliative care (MAP). The study (presented as a poster communication) demonstrates that it is feasible to perform a systematic and multidimensional assessment of palliative care needs through a semi-structured interview both in the hospital setting and in outpatient or home care. The poster is available at the following link:
A preliminary analysis of the relational link established between patients and professionals in the first encounters in palliative care was also presented, a work carried out in the context of MAP. You can consult the poster in the following link:
In addition, a study was presented on the loneliness experienced by patients during the first wave of COVID-19 in the face of the threat of death. The poster is available at the following link:
Finally, a paper was presented on the adaptation of an educational intervention aimed at informal caregivers who care for elderly people who express a wish to die. You can consult the poster in the following link:
