THE JOURNAL CLUB
A platform for communication and professional development for palliative care specialists.
What is the Journal Club?
It is a series of regular online meetings where we discuss the latest articles and research in the field of palliative care. These are not lectures but open conversations among colleagues from different countries and organisations.
Why join?
How does it work?
- Keep up-to-date with the latest scientific publications and trends.
- Discover how to integrate international experience into your practice.
- Connect with colleagues from various regions and exchange ideas.
- Find support and inspiration for your daily work.
How does it work?
- Once a quarter, we select several recent articles.
- We share links with you beforehand.
- We meet online to discuss and exchange practical experiences.
- Who is it meant for?All palliative care professionals: doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, leaders, researchers, and educators.
- Is there a fee?The Journal Club offers a friendly space for discussing questions, doubts, and ideas. Participation is free, but registration is required.
- In which language?When registering, please specify the language you feel most comfortable speaking. Depending on participants’ choices, the sessions will be conducted either in English or Russian, or simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Second Journal Club Meeting
| Host The Journal Club is led by Dr. Julija Cirule-Galuza, Head of the Liepāja Children’s Palliative Care Service in Latvia, and founder of two Journal Clubs for palliative care professionals (in Latvian and English/Russian). |
Guest speaker
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Prof. Piret Paala medical anthropologist and a leading expert in palliative care education and research
Date: December 18, 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 13:00 CET
Language: This meeting wil be held in English and Russian languages with simultaneous translation
Articles we will discuss:
In December, our journal club will examine two of the most challenging and ethically complex areas in paediatric and adult palliative care: Revesz syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
We will begin with a discussion of Revesz syndrome—a sporadic inherited telomere biology disorder recently identified in a child in Latvia. Using two key publications, we will explore the natural history of the disease, its ophthalmological and haematological complications, and the critical importance of a coordinated multidisciplinary and palliative approach for affected children.
2. Asano M., Tsukamoto S., Sonoda K-H., & Kondo H. (2021). Revesz syndrome with bilateral retinal detachments successfully treated by pars plana vitrectomy. American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, 23, 101137.
Read: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8220311/
The second part of the session will focus on ALS, one of the most demanding conditions in adult palliative medicine. Drawing on a new qualitative study led by Pirett Paal, we will consider the ethical dilemmas faced by bereaved caregivers, the lived experience of long-term caregiving, and the implications for improving palliative care systems and family support.
3. Paal, P., et al. (2025). “Every Day Was the Same, Equally Difficult”—A Qualitative Exploration of Bereaved Caregivers’ Ethical Dilemmas in Caring for a Family Member with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Original Research Paper, Volume 18, Article 24 (2025).
Read: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12152-025-09597-2
We will begin with a discussion of Revesz syndrome—a sporadic inherited telomere biology disorder recently identified in a child in Latvia. Using two key publications, we will explore the natural history of the disease, its ophthalmological and haematological complications, and the critical importance of a coordinated multidisciplinary and palliative approach for affected children.
- Karremann M., Neumaier-Probst E., Schlichtenbrede F., et al. (2020). Revesz syndrome revisited. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 15, 299.
2. Asano M., Tsukamoto S., Sonoda K-H., & Kondo H. (2021). Revesz syndrome with bilateral retinal detachments successfully treated by pars plana vitrectomy. American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, 23, 101137.
Read: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8220311/
The second part of the session will focus on ALS, one of the most demanding conditions in adult palliative medicine. Drawing on a new qualitative study led by Pirett Paal, we will consider the ethical dilemmas faced by bereaved caregivers, the lived experience of long-term caregiving, and the implications for improving palliative care systems and family support.
3. Paal, P., et al. (2025). “Every Day Was the Same, Equally Difficult”—A Qualitative Exploration of Bereaved Caregivers’ Ethical Dilemmas in Caring for a Family Member with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Original Research Paper, Volume 18, Article 24 (2025).
Read: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12152-025-09597-2
The first meeting of the Journal Club
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Guest speaker:
Juris KlonovsFounder and CEO of BirgerMind SIA, an expert in AI, machine learning, and biomedical signal analysis. Since 2011, he has been involved in ALS care. BirgerMind develops non-invasive brain–computer interfaces, creating new opportunities for individuals with severe neurological conditions and advancing assistive technologies in palliative care. Juris is the author of the book Distributed Computing and Monitoring Technologies for Older Patients (Springer, 2016), as well as numerous scientific publications in high-impact journals.
Recording
Discussed Articles
Guest speaker Juris Klonovs will present his publication on state-of-the-art sensor technologies for palliative care. This book by Springer Publishing examines the use of distributed computing systems and monitoring technologies to support older patients. It covers solutions based on sensors, telemedicine, and intelligent data analysis systems, enabling real-time health monitoring, enhancing patient safety and quality of life, and reducing the workload for caregivers and medical staff.
Read the book via this link.
Read the book via this link.
This guidance, developed by specialists in paediatric neurology and palliative care, concentrates on managing dystonia in children with life-limiting conditions. Dystonia is among the most challenging and draining symptoms in paediatric palliative care. Drawing on international experience, the authors offer consensus recommendations on diagnosing, monitoring, and treating dystonia, covering both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Special focus is given to improving the quality of life for the child and family, as well as on the role of multidisciplinary teams in creating personalised care plans. The guidance aims to enhance clinical practice and promote further research in this area.
Read the article via this link.
Read the article via this link.
Researchers examined which sensor systems are most dependable for monitoring patients with limited mobility. Two approaches were compared: wearable devices (such as accelerometers that record movement) and contextual sensors embedded in the environment (cameras, radars). The results showed that wearable sensors deliver the highest accuracy in data collection and enable prompt detection of changes in a patient’s condition, while contextual systems often produced false alarms and raised concerns about patient privacy. The findings are especially significant for palliative care professionals working with immobilised patients: using reliable wearable devices can help reduce the risk of complications, ensure patient safety and comfort, and decrease the workload for healthcare staff while respecting the patient’s personal space.
Read the article via this link.
Read the article via this link.
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