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Highlights of the November Issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM)

Listed below are a few articles from the most recent issue of the journal: Breakthrough Cancer Pain: An Observational Study of 1000 European Oncology Patients Andrew Davies, Alison Buchanan, Giovambattista Zeppetella, Josep Porta-Sales, Rudolf Likar, Wolfgang Weismayr, Ondrej Slama, Tarja Korhonen, Marilene Filbet, Philippe Poulain, Kyriaki Mystakidou, Alexandros Ardavanis, Tony O’Brien, Pauline Wilkinson, Augusto Caraceni, … Read moreHighlights of the November Issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM)

President Crossno’s Letter to American Medical News

Letter to American Medical News January 6, 2012 Re: Handful of States Promise Physicians Online Access to Advance Directives, posted January 3, 2012 on amednews.com http://bit.ly/vFKMvx When very sick patients are unable to express their wishes toward the end of life, nothing is more heartbreaking for doctors and loved ones than not knowing what those … Read morePresident Crossno’s Letter to American Medical News

Another indication that HPM is becoming more mainstream?

In the category of ‘what goes around comes around,’ a recent event reminded me of the ironies life can bring; but this is a cautionary tale for all. At this time last year, I was immersed in a trial. While there is a general impression that hospice and palliative medicine are relatively immune from issues of tort liability and malpractice, this is proving to be increasingly untrue. In some parts of the country, trial lawyers are exploring new theories of litigation with causes of action against hospice and palliative medicine providers, an untapped and fertile ground for potential malpractice awards. While this clearly isn’t “good news,” ironically it may be another milestone in HPM’s ongoing efforts to integrate into ‘mainstream medicine.’

Pandemic Palliative Care

At the Annual Assembly in the session on Pandemic Palliative Care we discussed the increasing recognition of the role that HPM physicians will be expected to play in a disaster or pandemic. We also discussed the inability of the US to effectively protect the public health with quarantine measures. The AMA News today emphasizes this … Read morePandemic Palliative Care