End of life care program premieres July 14
June 19, 2009A new Rural Health Education Foundation live television program airing on Tuesday 14th July explores the issues involved in end of life care, particularly in rural and remote Australia.
End of Life Care looks at the latest developments in palliative and end of life care, and examines the particular issues for special groups, including children and Indigenous people, and end of life care in special settings, such as the critical care setting.
The hour-long program also covers the distinctions between euthanasia, assisted suicide and lawful treatment limitation decisions, and the ethical issues raised for health care professionals.
Coping with more requests for in-home care from terminal patients
“With half a million Australians experiencing the impact of terminal illness each year, appropriate end of life care and communication skills are vital for many health professionals,” says Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Don Perlgut. “People approaching the end of life deserve accurate information and informed assessments of their specific needs, and expect proper consideration of their care preferences.”
“The growing preference among terminal patients to be cared for and to die at home is one of the many issues explored in this new program,” Mr Perlgut says. “This desire to be close to land and family at life’s end - which is particularly prevalent in rural, remote and Indigenous communities - poses additional challenges for palliative care providers.”
Presented by an expert panel
The program format is a panel discussion chaired by Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National.
The panel of medical practitioners features Professor David Currow - Professor of Palliative and Supportive Services at Flinders University, SA; Ms Nikki Fursdon, a Specialist Palliative Care Nurse from the ACT; and a leading ethicist.
Program funding
End of Life Care is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
Broadcast details
End of Life Care will be broadcast across the Rural Health Education Foundation’s satellite television network on Tuesday 14th July at 8.00pm (AEST), with repeats at 8.00pm Perth time that same evening (two hours later) and 12.30pm on Friday 17th July.
Available on DVD and the web
DVD copies of this program will be available after the broadcasts via our website. The program will also be available free on the Internet for viewing via web-streamed video or listening via an audio podcast.
Preservation of life not the only goal of medical care
A primary goal of medical care is the preservation of life. However, when life can’t be preserved, the task is to provide symptom management and supportive care to the dying person and support to family members and others.
Each year half a million Australians experience the impact of terminal illness and the capacity of our health services to respond is often limited.
More information
For more information about this program - including presenter details, access instructions and associated educational resources - refer to the online program summary or contact the Foundation.