Palliative Care Journal Watch
Welcome to the Palliative Care ECHO Project’s Journal Watch. This ongoing series is led by subject matter experts from McMaster University and Queen’s University and explores key topics in the latest palliative care literature, with a focus on practice change and systems design.
The Palliative Care ECHO Project’s accredited Journal Watch is available to you in multiple formats. Join a live, interactive webinar. If the dates don’t work for your schedule, you can listen to the episodes wherever you get your podcasts, review the slide presentations, and read the articles that were discussed, below. Check back to this page regularly for updates.
Interested in attending the next Journal Watch session?

Journal Watch is now available wherever you get your podcasts!
Recent Journal Watch sessions
Find the recording, PowerPoint presentation, and featured publications of our past sessions here. You can also listen to past episodes on the Journal Watch podcast (see links above). Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Monday January 24, 2022
- Bigford MK, Heuberger R, Raymond E, Shayna V, Paauw J. Views of Registered Dietitians Compared to Speech-Language Pathologists on Artificial Nutrition and Hydration at the End of Life. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. 2022;39(1):9-17. doi:10.1177/1049909121994310
- Quach BI, Qureshi D, Talarico R, Hsu AT, Tanuseputro P. Comparison of End-of-Life Care Between Recent Immigrants and Long-standing Residents in Ontario, Canada. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2132397. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.32397
- Ma JE, Haverfield M, Lorenz KA, et al. Exploring expanded interdisciplinary roles in goals of care conversations in a national goals of care initiative: A qualitative approach. Palliative Medicine. 2021;35(8):1542-1552. doi:10.1177/02692163211020473
- Imai K, Morita T, Yokomichi N, Kawaguchi T, Kohara H, Yamaguchi T, Kikuchi A, Odagiri T, Watanabe YS, Kamura R, Maeda I, Kawashima N, Ito S, Baba M, Matsuda Y, Oya K, Kaneishi K, Hiratsuka Y, Naito AS, Mori M. Efficacy of Proportional Sedation and Deep Sedation Defined by Sedation Protocols: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Comparative Study. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2021 Dec;62(6):1165-1174. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.06.005. Epub 2021 Jun 10.
- Hunter CN, Abdel-Aal HH, Elsherief WA, Farag DE, Riad NM, Alsirafy SA. Mirtazapine in Cancer-Associated Anorexia and Cachexia: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2021 Dec;62(6):1207-1215. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.05.017. Epub 2021 May 26. PMID: 34051293.
- Bovero, A., Opezzo, M., Botto, R., Gottardo, F., & Torta, R. (2021). Hope in end-of-life cancer patients: A cross-sectional analysis. Palliative and Supportive Care, 19(5), 563-569. doi:10.1017/S1478951520001388
- Kwak J, Cho S, Handzo G, Hughes BP, Hasan SS, Luu A. The Role and Activities of Board-Certified Chaplains in Advance Care Planning. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. 2021;38(12):1495-1502. doi:10.1177/1049909121989996
- Phippen A, Murray B, Pickard J, Ahamed A, Kay S, Waterman D. Understanding the Patient Experience of “as-Required” Medication in a Hospice In-Patient Unit. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. 2021;38(12):1466-1469. doi:10.1177/1049909121994306
- Ferguson L, Wilson M. Intranasal dexmedetomidine: Procedural sedation in palliative care: A case report. Palliative Medicine. 2021;35(8):1625-1628. doi:10.1177/02692163211022184
- Hua, May, et al. What Affects Adoption of Specialty Palliative Care in Intensive Care Units: A Qualitative Study. Journal of pain and symptom management 62.6 (2021):1273-1282
- Baider L, Goldzweig G, Jacobs J, Ghrayeb I, Sapir E, Rottenberg Y. Informal Caregivers of older Muslims diagnosed with Cancer: a Portrait of depression, social support and faith. Palliative and Supportive Care. 2021; 19(5): 598-604. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S147895152100081X
- Ware O, McPherson M, Barklay J, Shega J, Guralnik J, Cagle J. Recommendations for Prevention Medication Diversion and Misuse in Hospice Care: A Modified Delphi Study. J Pain Symptom Managent. VOLUME 62, ISSUE 6, P1175-1187, DECEMBER 01, 2021.

Monday April 11, 2022
Session led by Dr. Leonie Herx, and joined by panelists Dr. Jean Mathews and Dr. Anna Voeuk.
- Periyakoil, V. S., Gunten, C., Fischer, S., Pantilat, S., & Quill, T. (2022). Generalist versus Specialist Palliative Medicine. Journal of palliative medicine, 25(2), 193–199. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2021.0644
- Periyakoil, V. S., Gunten, C., Arnold, R., Hickman, S., Morrison, S., & Sudore, R. (2022). Caught in a Loop with Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives: How to Move Forward?. Journal of palliative medicine, 25(3), 355–360. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2022.0016
- Huang, J. Y., Steele, P., Dabscheck, E., & Smallwood, N. (2022). Nasal High Flow Therapy For Symptom Management in People Receiving Palliative Care. Journal of pain and symptom management, 63(2), e237–e245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.016
- Lau J., Mazzotta P., Whelan C., et al. (2022). Opioid safety recommendations in adult palliative medicine: a North American Delphi expert consensus. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care (Epub ahead of print), 12(1), 1–10. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003178
- Ho, P., Lim, Y., Tan, L., Wang, X., Magpantay, G., Chia, J., Loke, J., Sim, L. K., & Low, J. A. (2022). Does an Integrated Palliative Care Program Reduce Emergency Department Transfers for Nursing Home Palliative Residents?. Journal of palliative medicine, 25(3), 361–367. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2021.0241
- Sarbey B. (2022). Why Standard Drug Treatments for the “Death Rattle” Should Be Discontinued. Journal of palliative medicine, 25(2), 180. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2021.0568
- Mercadante, S. (2022). Response to Sarbey: Why Standard Drug Treatments for the “Death Rattle” Should Be Discontinued (DOI: 10.1089/jpm. 2021.0568): Death Rattle in Dying Patients. Journal of palliative medicine. = Honorable mention (Jose)
- Sandi BB, Leão GS, de Mattos AA, de Mattos ÂZ. Long-term albumin administration in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Mar;36(3):609-617. doi: 10.1111/jgh.15253.
- Steinberg L, Isenberg SR, Mak S, et al. HeartFull: Feasibility of an Integrated Program of Care for Patients with Advanced Stage of Heart Failure. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. February 2022. doi:10.1177/10499091211069626
- Clark MD, Halford Z, Herndon C, Middendorf E. Evaluation of Antibiotic Initiation Tools in End-of-Life Care. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2022 Mar;39(3):274-281. doi: 10.1177/10499091211027806. Epub 2021 Jun 25. PMID: 34169763.
- Wu EX, Collins A, Briggs S, Stajduhar KI, Kalsi A, Hilliard N. Prolonged Grief and Bereavement Supports Within a Caregiver Population Who Transition Through a Palliative Care Program in British Columbia, Canada. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2022 Mar;39(3):361-369. doi: 10.1177/10499091211030442. Epub 2021 Jul 14. PMID: 34259023; PMCID: PMC8847765.
- Bazargan M, Cobb S, Assari S, Bazargan-Hejazi S. Preparedness for Serious Illnesses: Impact of Ethnicity, Mistrust, Perceived Discrimination, and Health Communication. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2022 Apr;39(4):461-471. doi: 10.1177/10499091211036885. Epub 2021 Sep 3. PMID: 34476995.

Monday May 30, 2022
Session led by Dr. José Pereira and Dr. Leonie Herx with special guests Lisa Weatherbee, RN and Dr. Jordan Lafranier.
- Tros, W., van der Steen, J. T., Liefers, J., Akkermans, R., Schers, H., Numans, M. E., van Peet, P. G., & Groenewoud, A. S. (2022). General practitioners’ evaluations of optimal timing to initiate advance care planning for patients with cancer, organ failure, or multimorbidity: A health records survey study. Palliative medicine, 36(3), 510–518.
- Costantino, R. C., Barlow, A., Gressler, L. E., Zarzabal, L. A., Tao, D., & McPherson, M. L. (2022). Variability among Online Opioid Conversion Calculators Performing Common Palliative Care Conversions. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 25(4), 549-555.
- Ho, K., Wang, K., Clay, A., & Gibbings, E. (2022). Differences in goals of care discussion outcomes among healthcare professionals: an observational cross-sectional study. Palliative medicine, 36(2), 358–364.
- Agar, M. R., Chang, S., Amgarth-Duff, I., Garcia, M. V., Hunt, J., Phillips, J. L., Sinnarajah, A., & Fainsinger, R. (2022). Investigating the benefits and harms of hypodermoclysis of patients in palliative care: A consecutive cohort study. Palliative medicine, 36(5), 830–840.
- El Khoury, J., Hlais, S., Helou, M., Mouhawej, M. C., Barmo, S., Fadel, P., & Tohme, A. (2022). Evaluation of efficacy and safety of subcutaneous acetaminophen in geriatrics and palliative care (APAPSUBQ). BMC Palliative Care, 21(1), 1-9.
- Beaudet, M. É., Lacasse, Y., & Labbé, C. (2022). Palliative Systemic Therapy Given near the End of Life for Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.), 29(3), 1316–1325.
- Stone, P. C., Chu, C., Todd, C., Griffiths, J., Kalpakidou, A., Keeley, V., Omar, R. Z., & Vickerstaff, V. (2022). The accuracy of clinician predictions of survival in the Prognosis in Palliative care Study II (PiPS2): A prospective observational study. PloS one, 17(4), e0267050.
- Cohen, M. G., Althouse, A. D., Arnold, R. M., Bulls, H. W., White, D. B., Chu, E., Rosenzweig, M. Q., Smith, K. J., & Schenker, Y. (2022). Hope and advance care planning in advanced cancer: Is there a relationship?. Cancer, 128(6), 1339–1345.
- Shoulder, R., Taylor, J., & Stiel, H. (2022). Use of long term aprepitant as a treatment for refractory nausea following oesophageal stent insertion – a case report. Palliative medicine, 36(2), 395–398.
- Palmer, E., Kavanagh, E., Visram, S., Bourke, A. M., Forrest, I., & Exley, C. (2022). Which factors influence the quality of end-of-life care in interstitial lung disease? A systematic review with narrative synthesis. Palliative medicine, 36(2), 237–253.
- Austin, P. D., Siddall, P. J., & Lovell, M. R. (2022). Feasibility and acceptability of virtual reality for cancer pain in people receiving palliative care: a randomised cross-over study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 1-11.