Pain in Palliative Care

To help us brush up on managing palliative patients with pain, Lisa and Sara speak to Dr Anna Murray (Palliative Care Specialist, WWL) and GP Lead Dr Liam Hosie (Palliative Care and GP, WWL).

We start with a general approach to pain and then move on to consider the causes, discuss opioid titrations as well as adjuvant therapies. We also touch on agitation and breathlessness and when to consider changing the routes of medication.

Useful resources: 

• GMMMG Palliative Care Pain and Symptom Control Guidelines for Adults:
  http://gmmmg.nhs.uk/docs/guidance/GMMMG-Palliative-Care-Pain-and-Symptom-Control-Guidelines-for-Adults-v1-1.pdf
• Wigan & Leigh Hospice Symptom Management Guidelines for the Care of Adults in the Last Hours or Days of Life (Community Version 3): https://d2abk28tx5gxte.cloudfront.net/app/uploads/2018/11/26165005/symptom_management_guidance_end_of_life_adults_community_v3.pdf

___

We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our really quick anonymous survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YLN6GKT

___

This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Wigan CCG. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 

The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.

Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.

The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.