Tag: Patient centered care

Worldwide, an estimated 56.8 million people require palliative care annually, yet only about 14% receive it [1.6.3]. For these patients and others with chronic illness, understanding **what are the principles of symptom management?** is crucial for improving quality of life by addressing physical and psychological distress [1.6.3].

According to guidelines based on the World Health Organization (WHO) pain ladder, strong opioid analgesics represent the highest level of pharmacological intervention for managing severe pain that is not controlled by weaker medications. However, there is no single *best* option for all patients, as the ideal choice for what is the drug of choice for severe pain is highly dependent on individual patient factors and the specific type of pain being treated.

According to a review published in the *International Journal of Pharmaceutics*, the oral mucosa is a highly versatile surface for drug administration, offering an alternative to traditional methods by bypassing first-pass metabolism. So, **what does oromucosal mean** and what are the key advantages of this delivery route for patients?

Studies show that physicians interrupt patients after a median of only 11 seconds [1.4.2]. 'What is ninja medicine?' introduces a patient-centered philosophy aimed at transforming this dynamic by emphasizing subtle skills, deep listening, and building trust to improve healthcare outcomes.