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ACPOPC Scotland Autumn Study Day - 5th/6th
November 2009
Over 25 delegates made the trip
to St. Columba's Hospice in Edinburgh for two half days of informative
presentations and discussions at an excellent venue.
Dr Fiona Walker from Victoria
Hospice in Kirkcaldy started the proceedings with an overview of brain
tumours. Diz Hackman, clinical
specialist physiotherapist from the Royal Marsden, London, followed, giving an
account of her qualitative study investigating patients with 1deg brain tumours perceptions of
rehabilitation, completed as part of her masters study. This highlighted the value of
physiotherapist input. The final part
of the afternoon focused on pain management - initially from St.Columba's consultant
Dr. Duncan Brown reviewing the different forms of complex cancer pain and their
characteristics, followed by a discussion of pharmaceutical
management/intervention options. Dr
Lesley Colvin from the University of Edinburgh followed this with a
presentation on spinal analgesia in the context of difficult to manage cancer
pain. I found these two sessions
particularly useful as a relative newcomer to palliative care - learning a lot
and taking away a few thoughts/ideas to discuss with the Doctors I work with.
The second day started with a
focus on non-malignant conditions. Nurse Specialist Suzanne Bell discussed advanced heart failure
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clarifying many points and comparing/contrasting with cancer care. This highlighted differences in disease
trajectory along with the need for a good multi-disciplinary approach to
palliative management, including control of symptoms and optimising quality of
life. MND was the next topic with Bob
Bestow of MND Scotland providing an overview of the condition, the role of the
physio and the services of MND Scotland. Returning to malignant conditions, Jane Coskun, a nurse from the
Edinburgh Cancer Centre, presented the NHS Lothian pathway for malignant spinal
cord compression - focussing on early detection to optimise prognostic outcome,
with physios being well placed to spot the symptoms.
The study day was concluded with
an open discussion forum on many of the topics presented, which provided an
excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, views and experiences.
Many thanks to all involved in
this well organised study day which demonstrated the value of being an ACPOPC
member. I look forward to making the
trip north again next year.
Matthew Bontoft
Senior Physiotherapist
St. Barnabas Hospice, Lincoln
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