What is the place of palliative care in times of humanitarian crisis?

In this PCNA webinar, Dr Rachel Coghlan explores the intersection of palliative care and humanitarian response, and the important role that care, compassion and humanity play in times of crisis and conflict.

Humanitarian crises can profoundly affect individuals, families and communities, as well as the health and care systems that support them. Drawing on her extensive experience across palliative care, humanitarian response and global health, Rachel brings a global perspective to the challenges of providing palliative care in these complex settings.

The session explores the realities of palliative care during humanitarian emergencies and invites us to consider how the principles of palliative care can remain central even in circumstances of extreme disruption, displacement and conflict.

About Dr Rachel Coghlan

Dr Rachel Coghlan is a practitioner, researcher and advocate working across palliative care, rehabilitation, humanitarian response and global health.

A Fulbright Scholar, Rachel’s PhD explored palliative care in the Gaza Strip, and she is currently supporting palliative care responses in Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon.

Rachel is a researcher at the Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, and a physiotherapist at Calvary Health Care Bethlehem. She is also a Board member of Palliative Care Australia and a Council Member of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network.

Her work has appeared in journals and media outlets including The Guardian, ABC, Crikey, Women’s Agenda, MJA Insight Plus and Arena Magazine.

Palliative Care Nurses Australia (PCNA) provides education, connection and professional support for nurses and others with an interest in palliative care.