Palliative Care Journal Watch

Featured Articles:

• Jose V, Thekkekara R, Stuckler D, Greminger A. The Effectiveness and Safety of Buprenorphine in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials, Prospective and Retrospective Studies. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.12.009
• Davis M. Buprenorphine in palliative care. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. Published online December 12, 2025. doi:10.1136/spcare-2025-005984
• Verma M, Navarro V, Kosinski A, et al. Palliative Care Intervention for Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. Published online April 13, 2026. Doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2026.0571Honourable Mentions:

• Barry C, Patel M. Pharmacogenomics and symptom management in palliative and supportive care: A scoping review. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2025;15(2):158-167. Doi:10.1136/spcare-2024-005205
• Hou CW, Hu MC, Gautama MSN, Huang TW. Automated algorithms for identifying patients requiring palliative care: a systematic review and meta‑analysis. npj Digit Med. Published online February 13, 2026. Doi:10.1038/s41746-026-02429-4
• Yang S, Jiang Y, Wang C, Hu Z, Yu T. Palliative care in advanced heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2026;16(3):548-557. doi:10.1136/spcare-2025-005527

Our May 2026 podcast was hosted by Dr Leonie Herx, Dr Jose Pereira and Dr Sharon Watanabe.

During this episode, they highlight the following articles:

Featured articles:

· May P, Nikram E, Johansson T, et al. Specialist palliative care improves patient experience, reduces bed days and saves money: An economic modelling study of home- and hospital-based care. Palliat Med. Published online March 4, 2026:02692163261423755. doi:10.1177/02692163261423755

· Rosa WE, Ursoleo JD, Connor S, et al. Palliative care integration in primary health care across the life course: a global health imperative. The Lancet Primary Care. 2026;2(4). doi:10.1016/j.lanprc.2026.100106

· Tripodoro VA, Fidalgo JFL, Pons JJ, et al. First-Ever Global Ranking of Palliative Care: 2025 World Map Under the New WHO Framework. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025;70(5):447-458. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.07.026

Additional Articles of Interest:

· Downing J, Knaul FM, Kwete XJ, et al. The global need for paediatric palliative care: the evolution of serious health-related suffering in children aged 0-19 years from 1990 to 2023. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2026;10(3):167-178. Doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(25)00338-4

· Knaul FM, Arreola-Ornelas H, Kwete XJ, et al. The evolution of serious health-related suffering from 1990 to 2021: an update to The Lancet Commission on global access to palliative care and pain relief. The Lancet Global Health. 2025;13(3):e422-e436. Doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00476-5

· Arioz U, Allsop MJ, Goodman WD, et al. Artificial intelligence-based approaches for advance care planning: a scoping review. BMC Palliat Care. 2025;24(1):268. Doi:10.1186/s12904-025-01827-x

· Nascimento A, Brandão-Silva J, Cunha D, et al. Caregiver perceptions of the impact and effect of family conferences for patients with complex and high-level palliative care needs: a cross-sectional survey study. BMC Palliat Care. Published online January 9, 2026. doi:10.1186/s12904-025-01978-x

Our March 2026 was hosted by Dr. Aynharan Sinnarajah and Dr. Kevin St. Arnaud.

During this episode, they highlight the following articles:

1. Cheville AL, Herrin J, Pachman DR, et al. Electronic health record-facilitated symptom surveillance and collaborative care intervention in oncology(E2C2): a cluster-randomised, population-level, stepped-wedge,pragmatic trial. Lancet Oncol. 2026;27(1):125-136. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(25)00526-1​
2. Philipp R, Walbaum C, Koch U, et al. Existential distress in advanced cancer: A cohort study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2025;94:184-191.doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2025.02.023 ​
3. Pérez YL, Cruzado JA. Complicated grief in caregivers of patients in a palliative care unit. Support Care Cancer. 2025;33(11):969.doi:10.1007/s00520-025-10029-3​

Our January 2026 episode was hosted by Dr. Jose Pereira and Dr. Leonie Herx.

During this episode, they highlight the following 4 articles:

1. Tate DH, Ferguson DL. Subcutaneous Dexmedetomidine for Refractory Symptoms in aHospice Inpatient Unit. J Pain Symptom Manage. Published online October 28, 2025:S0885-3924(25)00903-0. Doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.10.014​
2. Thomas B, Barclay G, Mansfield K, Mullan J, Lo WSA. Dexmedetomidine Versus Midazolamfor End-of-Life Sedation: The DREAMS Non-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial. J PainSymptom Manage. 2025;70(5):459-469. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.07.027​​
3. Nolen A, Selby D, Qureshi F, Mills A. Practices of and Perspectives on Palliative SedationAmong Palliative Care Physicians in Ontario, Canada: A Mixed-Methods Study. PalliativeMedicine Reports. 2024;5(1):94-103. Doi:10.1089/pmr.2023.0081​​
4. Arias-Rojas M, Arredondo-Holguín E, Carreño-Moreno S. Efficacy of the “PalliActiveCaregivers” intervention for caregivers of patients with cancer in palliative care. BMCPalliative Care. 2025;24(1):235. doi:10.1186/s12904-025-01885-1​

To access slides, recordings and links to the articles discussed, visit our Journal Watch Webpage at: http://www.echopalliative.com/palliative-care-journal-watch/

Our November 2025 episode was hosted by Dr. Jose Pereira, Dr. Leonie Herx, Dr. Sharon Watanabe, Dr. Aynharan Sinnarajah, and Dr. Adir Shaulov.

During this episode, they highlight the following 5 articles:

1. Wang S, Fong R, Hui F, Seevaratnam B, Nguyen D, Teuteberg W. Is Training Alone Enough? A Comparison of Serious Illness Communication Training With and Without Implementation Strategies. Journal of Palliative Medicine. Published online September 9, 2025. doi:10.1177/10966218251376726​
2. Schenker Y, Belin SC, Wang T, et al. Facilitated Versus Patient-Directed Advance Care Planning Among Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JCO Oncol Pract. 2025;21(10):1447-1457. doi:10.1200/OP-25-00046​
3. Iqbal J, Moineddin R, Quinn KL, et al. Novel Systemic Anticancer Treatments and Health Services Use at the End of Life Among Adults With Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(30):3279-3291. doi:10.1200/JCO-24-02816​
4. Shah MP, Wenger NS, Glaspy J, et al. Patient‐reported discordance between care goals and treatment intent in advanced cancer. Cancer. 2025;131(17):e35976. doi:10.1002/cncr.35976

To access slides, recordings and links to the articles discussed, visit our Journal Watch Webpage at: http://www.echopalliative.com/palliative-care-journal-watch/

Our July 2025 episode was hosted by Dr Leonie Herx and Dr Sharon Watanabe.

During this episode, they highlight the following 5 articles:

1. Soliman N, Moisset X, Ferraro MC, et al. Pharmacotherapy and non-invasive neuromodulation for neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Neurology. 2025;24(5):413-428. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(25)00068-7​
2. Kilpatrick K, Allard É, Jabbour M, Tchouaket E. Factors that support home deaths for patients receiving at-home palliative and end-of-life care: a sequential mixed-methods explanatory study. BMC Palliat Care. 2025;24(1):197. doi:10.1186/s12904-025-01840-0​
3. Min JWS, Wang Y, Bollens-Lund E, et al. Prevalence of Preoperative Palliative Care Needs and Association with Healthcare Use and Cost Among Older Adults Undergoing Major Elective Surgery. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Published online July 16, 2025. doi:10.1097/XCS.0000000000001491​
4. Hui D, De La Rosa A, Tsai JS, et al. Proportional Sedation for Persistent Agitated Delirium in Palliative Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. Published online July 31, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.2212

To access slides, recordings and links to the articles discussed, visit our Journal Watch Webpage at: http://www.echopalliative.com/palliative-care-journal-watch/

Our July 2025 episode was hosted by Dr Leonie Herx and Dr Sharon Watanabe.

During this episode, they highlight the following 5 articles:

1. Bowers M, Petrasso C, McLuskie A, et al. Multicomponent Interventions for Adults With Cancer Cachexia: A Systematic Review. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2025;16(2):e13716. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13716​​
2. Sandhya L, Devi Sreenivasan N, Goenka L, et al. Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Olanzapine for Chemotherapy-Related Anorexia in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric, Hepatopancreaticobiliary, and Lung Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2023;41(14):2617- 2627. doi:10.1200/JCO.22.01997​
3. Arrieta O, Cárdenas-Fernández D, Rodriguez-Mayoral O, Gutierrez-Torres S, Castañares D, Flores- Estrada D, Reyes E, López D, Barragán P, Soberanis Pina P, Cardona AF, Turcott JG. Mirtazapine as Appetite Stimulant in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Anorexia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2024 Mar 1;10(3):305-314. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.5232. PMID: 38206631; PMCID: PMC10784994.​
4. Groarke JD, Crawford J, Collins SM, et al. Ponsegromab for the Treatment of Cancer Cachexia. N Engl J Med. 2024;391(24):2291-2303. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2409515

To access slides, recordings and links to the articles discussed, visit our Journal Watch Webpage at: http://www.echopalliative.com/palliative-care-journal-watch/

In our April 2025 episode, our Host, Dr. Jose Pereira is joined by Dr. Sharon Watanabe, Dr. Aynharan Sinnarajah and Dr. Leonie Herx.

During this episode, they highlight the following 5 articles:

1. Yamaguchi T, Matsuda Y, Watanabe H, et al. Treatment Recommendation for Dyspnea in Patients with Advanced Disease: Revised Clinical Guidelines from the Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2024;27(10):1404-1414. 10.1089/jpm.2023.0667
2. Smallwood NE, Pascoe A, Wijsenbeek M, et al. Opioids for the palliation of symptoms in people with serious respiratory illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir Rev. 2024;33(174):230265. doi:10.1183/16000617.0265-2023
3. Grudzen CR, Siman N, Cuthel AM, et al. Palliative Care Initiated in the Emergency Department: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025;333(7):599-608. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.23696
4. Zhang Y, Kesler SR, Dietrich J, Chao HH. Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Practical Guide for Oncologists. JCO Oncol Pract. Published online March 5, 2025:OP-24-00953. doi 10.1200/OP-24-00953

To access slides, recordings and links to the articles discussed, visit our Journal Watch Webpage at: http://www.echopalliative.com/palliative-care-journal-watch/

In our February 2025 episode, our Host, Dr. Jose Pereira is joined by Dr. Sharon Watanabe, Dr. Aynharan Sinnarajah and Dr. Leonie Herx.

During this episode, they highlight the following 5 articles:

1. Simon ST, Higginson IJ, Bausewein C, Jolley CJ, Bajwah S, Maddocks M, Wilharm C, Oluyase AO, Pralong A; BETTER-B Consortium. Practice review: Pharmacological management of severe chronic breathlessness in adults with advanced life-limiting diseases. Palliat Med. 2024 Dec;38(10):1079-1087. doi: 10.1177/02692163241270945. Epub 2024 Sep 12. PMID: 39264397. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39264397/
2. George LS, Duberstein PR, Keating NL, Bates B, Bhagianadh D, Lin H, Saraiya B, Goel S, Akincigil A. Estimating oncologist variability in prescribing systemic cancer therapies to patients in the last 30 days of life. Cancer. 2024 Nov 1;130(21):3757-3767. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35488. Epub 2024 Jul 30. PMID:39077884. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39077884/
3. Han B, Jones CM, Einstein EB, Dowell D, Compton WM. Prescription Opioid Use Disorder Among Adults Reporting Prescription Opioid Use With or Without Misuse in the United States. J Clin Psychiatry. 2024 Jul 15;85(3):24m15258. doi: 10.4088/JCP.24m15258. PMID: 39028542; PMCID: PMC11338316. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39028542/
4. Kolodny A, Bohler RM. Screened Out – How a Survey Change Sheds Light on Iatrogenic Opioid Use Disorder. N Engl J Med. 2024 Dec 12;391(23):2183-2184. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2410911. Epub 2024 Nov 6. PMID: 39504517. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39504517/
5. Lykke C, Jurlander B, Ekholm O, Sjøgren P, Juhl GI, Kurita GP, Larsen S, Tønder N, Høyer LV, Eidemak I, Zwisler AD. Identifying Palliative Care Needs in Patients With Heart Failure Using Patient Reported Outcomes. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2024 Dec;68(6):561-572. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.09.002. Epub 2024 Sep 11. PMID: 39270879. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39270879/

To access slides, recordings and links to the articles discussed, visit our Journal Watch Webpage at: http://www.echopalliative.com/palliative-care-journal-watch/

In our November 2024 episode, our co-hosts, Dr. Jose Pereira and Dr. Sharon Watanabe are joined by special guests Dr. Aynharan Sinnarajah and Dr. Leonie Herx.

During this episode, they highlight the following 4 articles:

1. Chang TW, Yang FY, Liu YC, Hung CH. Gabapentinoids for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2024 Aug 19;14(3):269-278. doi: 10.1136/spcare-2023-00436 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38936970/​
2. Silva GAD, Oliveira LC, Wiegert EVM, Calixto-Lima L, Cunha GDC, Peres WAF. Prognostic risk stratification using C-reactive protein, albumin, and associated inflammatory biomarkers in patients with advanced cancer in palliative care. Curr Probl Cancer. 2024 Aug;51:101115. doi: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2024.101115. Epub 2024 Jun 28. PMID: 38943779. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38943779/​
3. Bischoff KE, Patel K, Boscardin WJ, O'Riordan DL, Pantilat SZ, Smith AK. Prognoses Associated With Palliative Performance Scale Scores in Modern Palliative Care Practice. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Jul 1;7(7):e2420472. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.20472. PMID: 38976269; PMCID: PMC11231792. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38976269/​
4. Meehan CP, White E, CVitan A, Jiang L, Wu WC, Wice M, Stafford J, Rudolph JL. Factors Associated With Early Palliative Care Among Patients With Heart Failure. J Palliat Med. 2024 Aug;27(8):1001-1008. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0539. Epub 2024 Apr 12. PMID: 38608234. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38608234/

To access slides, recordings and links to the articles discussed, visit our Journal Watch Webpage at: http://www.echopalliative.com/palliative-care-journal-watch/