Resources
These resources are designed for immediate use on specific issues relating to palliative care, end of life and care of the dying. They have been organised by topic and source location.
To be aware of the wishes and preferences of the individual
Australian Content
International Content
This collection includes articles for health professionals and outline several topics relating to practical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual articles focussing on specific aspects of care are listed under individual topics.
2020
- Abbott J, Johnson D, Wynia M. Ensuring Adequate Palliative and Hospice Care During COVID-19 Surges. JAMA. 2020 Sep 21. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.16843. Epub ahead of print.
- Arya A, Buchman S, Gagnon B, Downar J. Pandemic palliative care: beyond ventilators and saving lives. CMAJ. 2020 Mar 31:cmaj.200465. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.200465. Epub ahead of print.
- Baboudjian M, Ploussard G, Shariat SF, Ost P, Briganti A, Roupret M, et al. How to deal with steroids use in the management of metastatic prostate cancer during pandemic. Transl Androl Urol. 2020 Aug;9(4):1546-1549. doi: 10.21037/tau-20-1011.
- Cairns W, Agar M. Integrating palliative care into COVID-19 planning. MJA InSightPlus [Internet]. 2020 Mar 23 [cited 2020 Apr 27].
- Carr D, Boerner K, Moorman S. Bereavement in the Time of Coronavirus: Unprecedented Challenges Demand Novel Interventions. J Aging Soc Policy. 2020 Jul-Oct,32 (4-5) doi:10.1080/08959420.2020.1764320. Epub 2020 May 18.
- Chidiac C, Feuer D, Naismith J, Flatley M, Preston N. Emergency Palliative Care Planning and Support in a COVID-19 Pandemic. J Palliat Med. 2020 Apr 20. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0195. Epub ahead of print.
- Coghlan R. COVID-19: projecting compassion through the barrier of PPE. MJA InSightPlus [Internet]. 2020 Apr 6. [cited 2020 Apr 24].
- Costantini M, Sleeman KE, Peruselli C, Higginson IJ. Response and role of palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national telephone survey of hospices in Italy. medRxiv. 2020 Mar 18. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.18.20038448
- Etkind SN, Bone AE, Lovell N, Cripps RL, Harding R, Higginson IJ, Sleeman KE. The role and response of palliative care and hospice services in epidemics and pandemics: a rapid review to inform practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 Apr 8. pii: S0885-3924(20)30182-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.03.029. Epub ahead of print.
- Greenhalgh T, Knight M, A'Court C, Buxton M, Husain L. Management of post-acute covid-19 in primary care. BMJ. 2020 Aug 11;370:m3026. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m3026.
- Harrop E, Mann M, Semedo L, Chao D, Selman LE, Byrne A. What elements of a systems' approach to bereavement are most effective in times of mass bereavement? A narrative systematic review with lessons for COVID-19. Palliat Med. 2020 Oct;34(9):1165-1181. doi: 10.1177/0269216320946273. Epub 2020 Jul 31.
- Hendin A, La Rivière CG, Williscroft DM, O'Connor E, Hughes J, Fischer LM. End-of-life care in the emergency department for the patient imminently dying of a highly transmissible acute respiratory infection (such as COVID-19). CJEM. 2020 Mar 26:1-4. doi: 10.1017/cem.2020.352. Epub ahead of print.
- Janssen DJA, Ekström M, Currow DC, Johnson MJ, Maddocks M, Simonds AK, et al. COVID-19: guidance on palliative care from a European Respiratory Society international task force. Eur Respir J. 2020 Sep 3;56(3):2002583. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02583-2020.
- Kent EE, Ornstein KA, Dionne-Odom JN. The Family Caregiving Crisis Meets an Actual Pandemic. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 Apr 10:S0885-3924(20)30203-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.006. Epub ahead of print.
- Lapid MI, Koopmans R, Sampson EL, Van den Block L, Peisah C. Providing quality end of life care to older people in the era of COVID-19: Perspectives from five countries [published online ahead of print, 2020 May 11]. Int Psychogeriatr. 2020;1‐18. doi:10.1017/S1041610220000836.
- Lovell N, Maddocks M, Etkind SN, Taylor K, Carey I, Vora V, et al. Characteristics, symptom management and outcomes of 101 patients with COVID-19 referred for hospital palliative care. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 Apr 20;S0885-3924(20)30211-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.015
- Shah MA, Mayer S, Emlen F, et al. Clinical Screening for COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Patients With Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(9):e2023121. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.23121
- The challenges of providing end-of-life support in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and opportunities for the future: An international perspective (297kb pdf) from the LTC Response Centre to Covid-19
- The End of Life Studies group at the University of Glasgow summarise the literature looking at the role of palliative care in a blog: palliative care and COVID-19.
- Wang SSY, Teo WZY, Yee CW, Chai YW. Pursuing a Good Death in the Time of COVID-19. J Palliat Med. 2020 Apr 20. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0198. Epub ahead of print.
- COVID 19 and non communicable disease evidence statement (223kb pdf) - an infographic from WHO & UNDCP.
2019
- Krakauer E, Daubman B, Aloudat T, Bhadelia N, Black L, Janjanin S, et al. Palliative Care Needs of People Affected by Natural Hazards, Political or Ethnic Conflict, Epidemics of Life-Threatening Infections, and Other Humanitarian Crises. In: Waldman E, Glass M, editors. A Field Manual for Palliative Care in Humanitarian Crises. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2019:4-13.
2018
2010
2009
This collection includes fact sheets for the general public, health professionals and industry that outline the funding measures available to help combat coronavirus (COVID-19).
Supporting family, friends, residents and staff with grief and loss.
Australian Content
- Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB) have developed several Information Sheets for the general public and clinicians examining Grief and Bereavement and COVID-19.
- MyGrief app provides information, tools and resources to support bereaved people and provides practical strategies for families and friends on how best to support someone during their bereavement.
International Content
This collection includes blogs and newsletters for health professionals and outlines several topics relating to practical responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual podcasts and blogs focussing on aspects of care are listed under individual topics.
Australian Content
International Content
Care in the person’s home is a reality for many. Resources listed here offer frameworks for care delivery in the home environment.
Australian Content
- CarerHelp has resources for someone caring for a person with a life limiting illness in a COVID-19 environment.
- Caring@home offer online resources to support people to be cared for and to die at home if that is their choice. Resources are applicable Australia-wide for community service providers, health professionals and carers to support carers to help manage breakthrough symptoms safely using subcutaneous medicines.
- End of Life Directions for Aged Care (ELDAC) Webinar: What Age Care Providers Need to Know About Older Australians and End of Life Care.
- Guide for Home Care Providers COVID-19 is for aged care providers who offer home care services to older people living at home. It provides information and guidance on how to stay safe from coronavirus (COVID-19).
International Content
- Chidiac C, Feuer D, Naismith J, Flatley M, Preston N. Emergency Palliative Care Planning and Support in a COVID-19 Pandemic. J Palliat Med. 2020 Apr 20. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0195. Epub ahead of print.
- Kings College London have created a resource to help people manage breathlessness at home (229kb pdf).
- Khatri P, Seetharaman S, Jamie Phang CM, Andy Lee BX. Home Hospice Services during COVID-19: Ensuring Comfort in Unsettling Times in Singapore. J Palliat Med. 2020 Apr 15. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2020.0186. Epub ahead of print.
- Higginson IJ, Maddocks M, Bayly J, Brighton LJ, Hutchinson A, Booth S, et al. on behalf of the NIHR Applied Research Collaborative Palliative and End of Life Care Theme. Managing your breathlessness at home during the corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak (229kb pdf). 2020 Apr 3.
- The Canadian Virtual Hospice provide videos on how to perform common caregiver duties.
General Practice is at the forefront of patient care in the primary care setting. There are changes in how decisions are made and how clinicians can interact with people they care for, despite COVID-19 status.
Australian Content
International Content
The COVID-19 pandemic is driving changes in the way Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) can deliver care. Resources listed here offer frameworks for care delivery in the RACH environment.
Australian Content
International Content
- Arons MM, Hatfield KM, Reddy SC, Kimball A, James A, Jacobs JR, et al. Presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Transmission in a Skilled Nursing Facility. N Engl J Med. 2020 Apr 24. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2008457
- Care Homes and Coronavirus video made by Open Change and Paul Baughan from Cohort 12 SQSFellowship NHS Education for Scotland.
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine provides evidence for preventing respiratory illness in older adults aged 60 years and above living in long-term care.
- Davidson PM, Szanton SL. Nursing homes and COVID-19: we can and should do better. J Clin Nurs. 2020 Apr 12. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15297. Epub ahead of print.
- Health affairs blog : Getting Ahead Of COVID-19 Issues: Dying From Respiratory Failure Out Of The Hospital.
- Joni G, Lara P, Unroe Kathleen T, Lieve VDB. International COVID-19 palliative care guidance for nursing homes leaves key themes unaddressed. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 May 11. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.151. Epub ahead of print.
- Medicaring blog: A Pragmatist’s Advice for Nursing Homes.
Enabling sensitive but clear communication.
Australian Content
International Content
Changes in resources will influence usual patterns of care and their associated ethical norms.
Australian Content
International Content
A rapid review outlining the available evidence on a discrete topic or question relating to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence includes grey and peer review literature.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced families to approach funerals in different ways.
International Content
This series of documents provide a series of recommendations and suggestions to ensure continued high-quality clinical care in the setting of a pandemic.
Australian Content
International Content
Some medications listed in these guides are unavailable in Australia, see the palliAGEDgp smartphone App for Australian guidance regarding medicines and dosing into the terminal phase.
A network of processes and behaviours that determines the way that medicines are used by patients
Australian Content
International Content
Enabling every individual to achieve their own potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to their community. Also, see Self-Care.
Australian Content
International Content
Integrated modelling can be useful in supporting decision makers in allocating resources.
Australian Content
- The Australian Government’s Impact of COVID-19 (2.45MB pdf) outlines scenario modelling undertaken to inform how Australia is preparing our health system, including our intensive care units, for COVID-19.
Self-care is any activity that is deliberately performed in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health.
Australian Content
International Content
Useful hashtags to follow include:
- #pallicovid
- #palliatecoronavirus
- #highriskcovid19
Australia is a diverse nation with different religious, spirituality, sexuality, culture, and socio-economic backgrounds and personal experiences.
Australian Content
International Content
Spirituality is a sense of connection to something bigger than us. It is a universal human experience—something that touches us all.
International Content
Using telecommunication for the purpose of providing telemedicine, medical education, and health education over a distance.
Australian Content
International Content
- Ariadne Labs provide a video: Simulated Telemedicine Demonstration of COVID-19 Conversation Guide for Outpatient Care.
- Humphreys J, Schoenherr L, Elia G, Saks NT, Brown C, Barbour S, Pantilat SZ. Rapid Implementation of Inpatient Telepalliative Medicine Consultations During COVID-19 Pandemic. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 Apr 10:S0885-3924(20)30195-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.001. Epub ahead of print.
- New England Journal of Medicine Perspective: Hollander JE, Carr BG. Virtually Perfect? Telemedicine for COVID-19. 2020 Mar 11.
- Telehealth start up guide in a home based palliative care program (163kb pdf) - CAPC.
- Telemedicine Palliative Care Assessment template (17kb docx).
- The agency for healthcare research and quality have developed a White Paper looking at The Evidence Base for Telehealth: Reassurance in the Face of Rapid Expansion During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine answers 'Are there any evidence-based ways of assessing dyspnoea (breathlessness) by telephone or video?'.
- The Center to Advance Palliative Care’s blog: 'Telemedicine: Virtual Connection in an Age of Social Distancing'.
- The Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Centre (MATRC) has produced a range of Telehealth Resources for the COVID-19 period.
- Wherton J, Shaw S, Papoutsi C, Seuren L, Greenhalgh T. Guidance on the introduction and use of video consultations during COVID-19: important lessons from qualitative research. BMJ Leader. 2020 May 18. doi: 10.1136/leader-2020-000262. Online First.
A sample of documents which assist in organising patient related activities. Templates focussing on aspects of care (eg. telehealth) are listed under individual topics.
International Content
Workplace safety refers to the working environment and encompasses all factors that impact the safety, health, and well-being of employees.
Australian Content
International Content
Disclaimer
This information is presented for the purpose of making health information swiftly available to the Australian healthcare community. It is not a substitute for independent professional advice and clinicians should use their own judgment when making use of the material available linked to from this site.
Getting more information
You can call the National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
There is also a phone number of each state or territory public health agency.
Visit the following websites:
Page updated 15 October 2020