The series on “Kidney Palliative Care: Accessibility and Clinical Outcomes” is edited by Dr. Kwok Ying Chan from Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital (Hong Kong, China) and Dr. Desmond Yat-Hin Yap from Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China).
Kwok Ying Chan
Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong, China
Dr. Kwok Ying Chan is currently the chief of the Palliative Medical Unit of Grantham Hospital in Hong Kong. His doctoral thesis, which he completed, was on renal palliative care, which covered symptom management, the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, the effects of advanced care planning, and caregiver support. He is interested in early integrated care as well as haematology palliative care. He has published over 30 research publications in prestigious journals such as the American Journal of Kidney Disease and The Lancet. Dr. CHAN has served as an editor and reviewer internationally. He is a guest editor for the Annals of Palliative Medicine Journal in 2017 and serves as an abstract reviewer for the World Nephrology Congress in Mexico. He established the Integrated Hematology Palliative Care program and was recognized at the HA convention in Hong Kong in 2021 for the program's Best Oral Presentation.
Desmond Yat-Hin Yap
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Dr. Desmond Yat-Hin Yap pursued his MD and PhD degrees at the University of Hong Kong, focusing on the investigation of the immunopathogenesis and management of lupus nephritis. His primary area of study at the moment is immune-mediated glomerular disorders, with a focus on lupus nephritis, a significant contributor to renal failure, particularly in Asia. Importantly, his research was the first to document the long-term effects of mycophenolate therapy—the most widely practiced standard of care—as well as other cutting-edge treatments for lupus nephritis, like tacrolimus and sirolimus. His research has also clarified the risk factors for illness relapse and investigated new biomarkers for keeping track of disease activity. Dr. Yap was the first author of numerous invited reviews on the disease pathogenesis and treatment of lupus nephritis, as well as the co-first author of the Asian Guidelines for the management of lupus nephritis, which were published in the official journals of regional nephrology and rheumatology societies, he was recognized for his work on the serum immunoglobulin binding activity to human mesangial cells in lupus nephritis by receiving the Hong Kong Society of Nephrology Young Investigator Award. Dr. Yap studied B cell homeostasis in immune-mediated disorders while a research fellow at the Fiebiger-Nikolaus Centre, Friedrich-Alexander University, Germany, supported by the Li Shu Pui Clinical Fellowship (2014–2015). In addition, the Hong Kong College of Physicians honored him with the Sir David Todd Lectureship in 2021 for his contributions to the field of lupus nephritis research.
Series Outline:
- Addressing inequities in access to palliative care for the elderly with advanced chronic kidney disease, those dialysis and transplant patients
- Symptom/ symptom management in adults with advanced chronic kidney disease opted for conservative care
- Use of opioid for pain control in adults with chronic kidney disease for conservative management
- Palliative care needs of patients on dialysis
- Palliative care needs of renal transplant patients
- Impact of outpatient palliative care service on those advanced chronic kidney disease patients with cancer or without cancer diagnosis
- Nursing roles to patients with advanced chronic kidney disease opted for conservative care or withdraws of dialysis
- Compare the effects of palliative care consultation for patients with advanced cancer and end stage renal failure in general ward
- Compare the clinical outcomes by home care service for patients with advanced cancer and those with end stage renal failure opted for palliative care
- The use of palliative day service for advanced cancer and end stage renal failure patients- the impact on clinical outcomes
- The changes of symptom burden after comprehensive inpatient palliative care for patients with advanced cancer and end stage renal failure
Disclosure:
The special series “Kidney Palliative Care: Accessibility and Clinical Outcomes” was commissioned by the editorial office, Annals of Palliative Medicine without any funding or sponsorship. Kwok Ying Chan serves as the unpaid editorial board member of Annals of Palliative Medicine from February 2022 - January 2024. Kwok Ying Chan and Desmond Yat-Hin Yap are serving as the unpaid Guest Editors for the special series.