Won the 3rd best poster award at the EAPC congress

The EAPC conference in Berlin

The representatives of a strong academic community in palliative care from Møre og Romsdal county were repressed at the 16th World Congress of the European Association for palliative care in Berlin on 23-25 May 2019- This is an international conference with about 3000 participants from all over the world. Two important studies from Møre og Romsdal were represented at the conference. The Health Innovation Center is very proud of our own R&D staff member Lillian Karlsen's participation in this.

Title of the poster "In case of life-limiting illness: what is most important for you?".

Lillian Karlsen got some findings in the master thesis she wrote. It is these findings that this poster is based on. These findings have come out of an investigation done in the ROR municipalities.

The study explored the public's understanding and approach to the concept of palliation, and the findings provide knowledge that is important for developing sustainable and user-oriented services for patients with incurable disease and their families.

The research conference gives us important input on what is happening in Europe - and it is gratifying that we are approved with records and get to show the good and incredibly important work we do in Kristiansund, and Møre og Romsdal, "says cancer coordinator Gunnel Amundsen Lindseth.

The conference consisted of approx. 3000 participants from almost 100 countries. There were 1,000 posters exhibited on various research results within palliation.

We in Norway and in Møre og Romsdal work very well with how we care for people who need palliative care and good interdisciplinary follow-up.

Palliative care is an important field of expertise that we in Kristiansund preserve, including tools such as Palliative plan ("contingency plan" for those living with chronic disease) and the last days of life (package of measures for dying). These are diagnostic-independent tools that will be used throughout the municipality, says Gunnel Amundsen Lindseth.

These tools are used to follow up people living with chronic disease, and people who are going to die, in a holistic and dignified manner.

Here is the main focus; what is important for the patient and one interacts across the doctor's office, hospital and municipality. This provides a strong professional follow-up and greater similarity in offers and coordination.

Patients and relatives experience greater predictability and security, as well as faster assistance in getting help for ailments and needs when followed up with these tools. The reason is that one plans to live best with chronic disease, has preparatory talks, clarifies contact persons and what is important to the patient.

The home care service is a major contributor to this important work, represented by cancer coordinator, cancer nurses, specialist nurses and competence network for cancer and palliative care in home care and Storhaugen Health Center.

There are also expertise networks within cancer, relief and dementia for nursing homes and for living and habilitation, and one enters the tools for the entire municipality.

Lillian Karlsen, R&D employee at the Health Innovation Center, shares findings from her master's thesis in this post. The study explored the citizens' understanding and approach to the term palliation. The results provide knowledge that is important for developing sustainable and user-oriented services for patients with incurable disease and their families. The poster was presented by major contributors to the study; Bardo Driller (senior consultant, palliative team Health M&R), Bente Winsjansen (Cancer Coordinator in Fræna municipality) and Gunnel Lindseth (Cancer Coordinator in Kristiansund municipality).

The second post presents the important work of developing and implementing the Palliative plan in Møre og Romsdal. A professional development project that focuses on patient-centered follow-up, and the results so far show that use of the plan tool contributes to increased security for both employees, patients and relatives. This work has received great support and attention regionally, nationally and now internationally. Tanja Alme is the project manager, and Bardo Driller is doing her PhD work on the project. Furthermore, the project is strongly rooted in an overall professional environment in Møre og Romsdal. The project won the County Governor's Care Award in 2018! - with Bente Winsjansen.