This week on The Rounds Table we’re covering important studies in palliative care: treatment of delirium at end-of-life, and examining populations who may be more likely than others to receive aggressive end-of-life care. Kieran and Chris Yarnell break it down for listeners. Sheliza and Emily round out the episode with a special segment on qualitative research methods.

Recent immigrants to Canada may face extra challenges with end-of-life care because of challenges in communication, access to care, and cultural backgrounds. Chris covers an article, which he published in JAMA, asking the question: do recently immigrated patients receive different end-of-life care than longstanding residents?

Next, in a special segment, Sheliza and Emily cover key things for physicians to know about qualitative research. Content for the segment was created in collaboration with Lindsay Melvin, internist at Toronto Western Hospital.

Kieran then takes the lead on the discussion of a randomized trial of patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. The trial examined whether the combination of lorazepam and haloperidol was superior to placebo and haloperidol in the treatment of persistent agitation.

Finally, the Good Stuff segment. Tweeting about bike safety? How can we coordinate end-of-life care across silos? Listen to hear what Kieran and Chris are reading about.

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The Papers

1. DIVERSE: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2656223

2. Delirium in Palliative Care: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2654385

Qualitative Methods Segment (Additional Resources)

1.Quality Criteria in Qualitative Research: http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Citation/2013/04000/AM_Last_Page___Quality_Criteria_in_Qualitative_and.29.aspx 

2. Critically Appraising Qualitative Research: http://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a1035 

Good Stuff

1. Tweeting Bike Safety: https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/06/15/parking-enforcement-officer-takes-to-twitter-and-two-wheels-to-zap-bike-lane-invaders.html

2. Coordinating Across Silos: http://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2648600/determinants-dying-where-we-choose-analysis-coordinate-my-care

Music Credits

The Rounds Table Theme Music by Brendan Quinn, Creative Director and Composer, Vapor RMW