There are increasing close links between palliative care and neurology. The European Association for Palliative Care has a close relationship with the EAN and there was a very successful session at the EAPC Congress, looking at the issues facing people with progressive neurological disease. Professor Marianne de Visser, Co-Chair of the panel, spoke at the meeting. There is to be an EAN / EAPC Symposium at the Lisbon Congress, as well as a Case based workshop, with presenters form palliative care from across Europe.
The EAN Panel has also been involved in palliative care sessions, with over 75 participants, at the World Congress of Neurology in Kyoto in 2017 and there are to be sessions at the International Congress on Neuromuscular Disease in Vienna in July.
The Co-Chairs of the Panel and Professor Raymond Voltz are appointed as session editors of a special Research Topic on Palliative Care in neurological disorders in Frontiers of Neurology.
All these contacts will continue to develop the links and allow neurologists a greater understanding of palliative care – a holistic approach considering physical, psychological/emotional, social and spiritual aspects of care for the patients and family, integrated throughout the disease progression and not only at the end of life.
If you are interested come to the sessions in Lisbon or contact the Co-Chairs.
Palliative care is appropriate from the time of diagnosis for many patients with progressive neurological disease
Palliative care is able to support patients and families, not only at the end of life
Education on palliative care and neurology is increasing
Oliver DJ, Borasio GD, Caraceni A, de Visser M, Grisold W, Lorenzl S, Veronese S, Voltz R. A consensus review on the development of palliative care for patients with chronic and progressive neurological disease. Eur J Neurol 2016;23: 30-38. doi:10.1111/ene.12889