A randomised, partially-blinded, three-arm, sham-controlled randomised control trial by Li et al, which has been useful in proving the utility of self-acupressure in the management of fatigue- sleep disturbance- depression cluster in breast cancer survivors provides useful insights into the progress that research in supportive care and especially non-pharmacological measures has been able to make.… — read more

The postgraduate degree attached with my training goes by the name of MD Palliative Medicine. While, I have decried the absence of inpatient beds during my tenure as a particular impediment to quality postgraduate training, there exists a need to understand that service development has specific local, country and culture specific requirements. Palliative Medicine is… — read more

In this document unearthed from a post on LinkedIn, which represents a copy of a drug list provided by Dr. Cicely Saunders to Dr. Mary Baines at the time that she joined St Christopher’s Hospice, there is a telling comment about the use of diamorphine in the dying, which reads thus* “After 60 mg, it… — read more

A hierarchical network meta-analyses of randomized control trials, comparing structured exercise interventions with non-exercise control or alternative exercise modalities in middle aged and older adults, and its impact on Bone mineral density (BMD), concluded that exercise is effective in reducing age-related decline in Bone-Mineral density. The authors advocate cautious support for the integration of dose-specific,… — read more

“I am a Claude and she’s a ChatGPT.” I have been writing this blog for the past year and the number of posts is about to reach the double century mark. There is this nagging, gnawing and perhaps slightly disturbing realization that the deeper I delve into my writing and the more critically I reflect… — read more

As an International member of the British Medical Association, I have been receiving my subscription to the British Medical Journal regularly. Patient perspectives that have been incorporated into the final version of the academic piece, provide valuable insight into what patients consider most important for themselves vis-a-vis their disease management. Since my work is expected… — read more

This series entitled History and Origins of Palliative Medicine attempts to revisit foundational texts and figures in the discipline, critiquing their ideas in the context of contemporary institutional practices and the author’s ideological leanings in order to identify what was anticipated, what has been achieved, and what continues to remain unfinished. In his essay entitled… — read more

Specialist Palliative Care formulary lists prolonged QT interval (congenital or acquired), significant electrolyte abnormalities (hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia), underlying cardiac disease (congestive heart failure, significant conduction abnormalities, significant bradycardia, second- or third-degree heart block without pacemaker, and prolonged QTc more than 450 msec in males and 470 msec in females) as potential contraindications. Cardiotoxicity has been linked… — read more

PS. This piece might be read as a companion piece to the one published under the moniker – Mindful Critique 11, available at https://pallmedprep.com/2026/08/04/mindful-critique-mc11-perspectives-on-the-challenges-and-demands-of-interviews-in-a-fledgling-speciality-revisiting-situations-which-are-not-usually-spoken-of/. I have been an academic reviewer for more than 10 years now. Of late, I remain disappointed by my decision not to add humour to my interactions with the system and… — read more

Background In those approaching the end of their life, Agitation might serve as a direct reminder of physical discomfort, fear and unmet needs. Agitation affects half of the people with dementia approaching the end of life, out of which one-third continue to have disabling symptoms despite off-label treatment with benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and opioids. Restoring calm… — read more