Sections: Challenge of palliative medicine -- Ethical issues -- Communication -- Research -- Patient evaluation and outcome measures -- Principles of drug use -- Symptom management -- Paediatric palliative medicine -- Palliative medicine in non-malignant disease -- Cultural and spiritual aspects -- Emotional issues -- Social work -- Rehabilitation -- Contribution of allied health professions -- Complementary therapies -- Palliative medicine in the home -- Terminal phase -- Bereavement -- Education and training -- Global perspective.