COVID-19 is changing the way we understand our health systems, our society and ourselves. Palliative care is now a critical part of a response to the pandemic nationally. Professor Jennifer Tieman discusses the need to provide relevant information to health professionals, aged care workers, and patients, family and carers, and how the new CareSearch COVID-19 and Palliative Care hub can support them.

There have been many changes around how to care for others since the outbreak of COVID-19. These changes can compromise the wellbeing of people who receive and deliver palliative care. Hence it has never been more important to undertake research into understanding what is quality – and brilliant - palliative care. Dr Aileen Collier, Associate Professor Ann Dadich, Ms Catherine Jeffs and Professor Gregory Crawford discuss the findings of their research into enabling and sustaining brilliant palliative care.

Speech Pathologists not only provide services to people whose function is affected by communication or swallowing impairment. As part of our focus on Advance Care Planning Week, Wendy Pearse from Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service and Stephanie Veal from Austin Health discuss the important role of Speech Pathologists in palliative care and advance care planning.

With the deluge of information about preparing for COVID-19, how many of us have taken the time to stop, think and talk about what we would want to happen if we or someone close to us became seriously ill? In this blog, CareSearch Director Professor Jennifer Tieman discusses the ongoing need for advance care planning to enable us to prepare for emergencies.  

The current COVID-19 pandemic is presenting many urgent challenges in healthcare. However, it is important to remember the continuing needs of current and new patients with other health problems. It is within this context that Professor Jennifer Tieman, CareSearch Director from Flinders University discusses telehealth and how it can be used in addressing unexpected and novel health problems.