More than 500 participants have taken part in online conversation on palliative care since February
An online discussion on issues affecting care toward the end of life has caused a buzz on social media.
Conversations have been taking place on Twitter throughout the year as part of the Salzburg Questions series, which launched on February 20.
To keep track of the discussions and connect people from all around the world, those participating have been using the #allmylifeQs hashtag.
Between February 20 and August 19, the hashtag received 8.962 million impressions on Twitter. More than 500 participants have posted a combined total of 2,661 tweets.
The Salzburg Questions series contains nine questions on matters involving palliative care, six of which have been launched to date.
Each month, different individuals and institutions at the heart of the debate have shared a different question coinciding with an international day.
These individuals and institutions were involved in a Salzburg Global session in December: Rethinking Care: Toward the End of Life.
Salzburg Global Fellows who have led discussions include: Agnes Binagwaho, Lynna Chandra, Suresh Kumar, Sheila Payne, Emmanuel Luyirika, and Richard Harding.
Participants have already considered:
The questions have attracted various comments on the state of palliative care in different countries and how it can be improved.
Read a selection of the comments below:
.@SalzburgGlobal @livgretWe #Palliative & #EOL care is an universel right that needs 2 be accounted 4 #sgshealth #allmylifeQs #GlobalHealth
— Agnes Binagwaho (@agnesbinagwaho) February 20, 2017
.@SalzburgGlobal Partnerships r needed at national & global level 4 better #Palliative & #EOL care & accountability #allmylifeQs #sgshealth https://t.co/LAaHD5au89
— Agnes Binagwaho (@agnesbinagwaho) February 23, 2017
To support others prepare, I'm working with @BupaUK to launch a video on End of Life Care conversations #allmylifeQs @SalzburgGlobal
— Jemma Batte (@dr_batte) April 7, 2017
...I became an organ donor, went to a DeathCafe and just finished Being Mortal by Atul Gawande! #allmylifeQs @SalzburgGlobal @DrSureshKumar
— Jemma Batte (@dr_batte) April 7, 2017
"Have you prepared for your death?" I live gratefully and in the moment as much as I can. I talk about my wishes. #AllMyLifeQs #hpm
— Lori Ruder (@LoriRuder) April 7, 2017
#allmylifeQs discussed with 15 psychologists @PsychSocIreland today @DrSureshKumar as part of a death cafe conversation
— Kathleen McLoughlin (@kemcloughlin) April 7, 2017
Let's work on creating safe space to talk about #death #dying #endoflife It's something we all must face #liveuntilyoudie #allmylifeQs
— CherylW (@CWChapter2) April 8, 2017
I have a deathbed playlist of songs to be played while I am dying. #allmylifeQs https://t.co/IgOKFf7lJc
— Lizzy Miles (@LizzyMiles_MSW) April 8, 2017
61% of US bankruptcies are due to medical costs. Will caring for your loved one bankrupt you? #allmylifeQs #hpmglobal pic.twitter.com/lM2j5pZodL
— Stephen Connor (@srconnor) May 15, 2017
Time to consider how to support families & close friends of those who are facing serious illness #allmylifeQs https://t.co/1mBXPjuvd4
— Irene Higginson (@ij_higginson) May 15, 2017
The #refugees initiatives should be funded to include #palliativecare to reduce suffering for those with need @APCAssociation #ALLMYLIFEQS https://t.co/xZKN0VdKbj
— Dr Emmanuel Luyirika (@DrLuyirika) June 20, 2017
#allmylifeQs Quality EOL care should be measured by culturally sensitive standards, not only by availability of services&drugs.
— Dr. Liza Manalo (@lizamanalomd) July 11, 2017
The next question will be put forward on September 28, which coincides with International Right to Know Day.
Bruce Chernof, President and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, will ask: Doctors, Nurses, do you want to die the way your patients die?
Salzburg Global Fellows are encouraged to take part in the conversation on Twitter beforehand, on the day, and afterward. They can also take part by sharing blog posts around each question.
Blog platforms could include ehospice, the EAPC blog, Palliverse, and the IAHPC Newsletter.
So far, participants on Twitter have linked to research, podcasts and papers during their discussions.
If you hold a debate, workshop or Q&A event on a Salzburg Question, please film it so it can be uploaded to a dedicated YouTube channel. Send your video to katie.witcombe@kcl.ac.uk.
A Twitter list of Salzburg Global Health Fellows has been created. If you would like to be added to this list, please let us know by subscribing or contacting us on Twitter at @SalzburgGlobal.
List of dates, questions, and people leading discussions
20 February 2017 - World Day of Social Justice - Why aren't countries accountable to commitment on #EOL care for vulnerable people? - Agnes Binagwaho
20 March 2017 - World Happiness Day - Is dying well as important as living well? - Lynna Chandra
07 April 2017 - World Health Day - How have you prepared for your death? - Suresh Kumar
15 May 2017 - World Family Day - Will caring for your dying loved one bankrupt you emotionally and financially? - Sheila Payne
20 June 2017 - World Refugee Day - 145 countries signed bit.ly/2ah31bH why do refugees have limited access to quality health care and #EOL care? - Emmanuel Luyirika
11 July 2017 - World Population Day - How and what do you measure to ensure quality palliative & EOL care? - Richard Harding
28 September 2017 - International Right to Know Day - Doctors, Nurses, do you want to die the way your patients die? - Bruce Chernof
13 October 2017 - World Hospice and Palliative Care Day* - Do you know how to access #palliative care when you need it? - Stephen Connor
10 November 2017 - World Science Day for Peace and Development - What future research is needed to improve care for people w advanced illness & towards the end of life? - Irene Higginson
*This year's World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is taking place on Saturday, October 14. We will launch the question the day before to generate more discussion.