Tentative Proposal

Day 1 – Pre-Conference Workshops
1. POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound)

This workshop will focus on the practical application of bedside ultrasound in palliative care, including assessment of ascites, pleural effusion, bladder volume, DVT, Cardiac status and procedural guidance. Participants are expected to gain hands-on skills and understand how POCUS can enhance clinical decision-making and symptom management.

2. Interventional Pain Procedures

A hands-on workshop covering image-guided pain interventions such as nerve blocks, neurolysis, and intrathecal techniques. The session aims to equip participants with practical procedural skills and patient selection strategies for managing refractory cancer pain.

3. Communication Skills (Role plays & Prognosis Communication Simulations)

This interactive workshop will use role-play and simulated scenarios to enhance skills in breaking bad news, discussing prognosis, and handling difficult conversations. Emphasis will be on empathetic, patient-centred communication in complex clinical situations.

4. Artificial Intelligence in Palliative Care (Clinical, Academic & Research Applications)

This workshop will explore the use of AI in prognostication, symptom prediction, education, and research. Participants will learn about current tools, limitations, ethical considerations, and future directions, with a focus on practical applicability.

5. Nursing Care in Palliative Medicine (Including Stoma Care)

This session will highlight the critical role of nursing in symptom management, wound care, and stoma care. The workshop aims to provide practical bedside skills and protocols to improve patient comfort and quality of care.

6. Physiotherapy in Palliative Care

This workshop will demonstrate rehabilitation strategies, mobility support, and exercise-based interventions tailored for palliative care patients. Focus will be on maintaining function, reducing symptom burden, and improving quality of life.

7. Personalised Nutritional Rehabilitation & Exercise in Cancer Cachexia

Participants will learn approaches to nutritional assessment, personalised diet planning, and exercise strategies in patients with cachexia. The session will emphasise multidisciplinary management and realistic goal setting.

8. Music Therapy

This experiential workshop will demonstrate the role of music therapy in reducing anxiety, pain, and emotional distress. Participants will understand its application as a non-pharmacological, supportive intervention.

9. Complementary Therapies (Acupuncture, Yoga, Aromatherapy, Guided Imagery)

This workshop will introduce evidence-based complementary therapies used in palliative care. Participants will learn indications, benefits, and safe integration into routine care.

10. Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

This session will focus on innovative drug delivery methods, including intrathecal pumps, transdermal systems, and continuous infusions. The aim is to improve precision and effectiveness in symptom control.

11. Mind–Body Approaches (Psychotherapy, Hypnosis, Meaning-Centred Interventions)

This workshop will cover psychotherapeutic techniques and mind–body interventions for managing psychological and existential distress. Participants will be introduced to clinical hypnosis, CBT-based approaches, and meaning-centred therapy, with practical demonstrations.

12. Evidence based interventions for care givers

Debate Sessions

Can Artificial Intelligence Replace Clinical Judgment in Prognostication?

This debate will explore the role of AI in predicting outcomes versus traditional clinical expertise. The discussion will address accuracy, ethical concerns, bias, and the balance between technology and human judgment.

When Treatment Becomes Futile: Who Should Decide?

This session will examine decision-making in situations of medical futility, including the roles of physicians, patients, and families. Ethical frameworks and real-world challenges will be discussed.

Should Prognosis Always Be Fully Disclosed to Patients?

This debate will focus on the balance between truth-telling and cultural sensitivity, exploring issues of autonomy, communication, and patient readiness.