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Call for papers - Palliative care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Needs and Responses

The Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMHJ) is planning a special issue on palliative care.

Palliative care is the prevention and relief of suffering of adult and paediatric patients and their families experiencing physical, psychological, social or spiritual suffering typically associated with serious illness. Palliative care enhances quality of life and promotes dignity and comfort. It is applicable early in the course of illness integrated with disease treatment and has been shown to improve patient outcomes and to reduce costs both for patients and for health care systems. However, because the specific types of suffering vary by geopolitical location, economic situation, and culture, palliative care also should vary depending on local need.

Palliative care remains at an early stage of development in most of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Political instability, conflict, displacement and the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the demand for palliative care, yet only an estimated 5% of adults in need of palliative care in the region receive it.

This thematic issue aims to convey why access to palliative care is medically and ethically imperative; to inform integration of palliative care into health systems; and to provide regional palliative care experts and academics an opportunity to share research in palliative care. We welcome submission of papers in Arabic, French or English reporting high quality, original quantitative or qualitative research related to palliative care in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:

Knowledge and attitudes about palliative care

Legal, ethical, social, cultural, or spiritual issues relevant to palliative care in the Region

Palliative care policy, education, or service development in the Region

Measurement of palliative care needs

Submission information

Authors can submit their manuscripts through Editorial Manager at: https://www.editorialmanager.com/emhj/default.aspx 

Please indicate in your submission that it is for consideration for the issue on palliative care.

Manuscripts must comply with the “Instructions for authors” which can be found at: http://www.emro.who.int/emh-journal/authors/authors-information.html 

Deadline for submissions is Tuesday 21 November, 2021.