Are We Making Progress? Not in Haematology!

Abstract

It will be shown, through the presentation of recent research findings, that haematology is a neglected area in terms of sensitive care of the dying. The Australian evidence indicates that scant progress has been made in relation to even the most basic palliative care practices such as sensitive, honest information giving or appropriate referral to the palliative system. Rather, the data show that during the terminal trajectory, patients from these diagnostic groups and their families remain trapped in processes within the high-tech, curative system that are not responsive to the needs of the dying.