On Monday, November 3, 2025, the 5th Okinawa Palliative Care Workshop Academic Conference was held at the 3rd floor hall of the Okinawa Medical Association Building.

The conference was chaired by Dr. Seiji Hattori, Director of Pain Management at Chubu Tokushukai Hospital, with administrative coordination by Ms. Noriko Teruya from the Department of Adult Health and Cancer Nursing, University of the Ryukyus.

With the theme “Let’s be informed! Comprehensive Strategies for Cancer Pain Management,” the conference brought together 103 multidisciplinary professionals engaged in palliative care across Okinawa—including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, dietitians, and medical social workers—for panel discussions, a symposium, and eight oral presentations.

Panel Discussion: The panel focused on “Decision-Making Support: Current Status and Challenges,” featuring presentations from care managers, nurses, physical therapists, and physicians.
Discussions addressed decision-making support and Advance Care Planning (ACP) in the contexts of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and heart failure.
Key topics included strategies to bridge gaps in illness perception between patients and healthcare providers, appropriate timing for ACP, and the importance of proactive communication and multidisciplinary collaboration. The session provided a meaningful platform for exchanging practical insights.

Symposium: The symposium explored “Cancer Pain Treatment: Pharmacotherapy and Interventions,” with presentations by a Certified Nurse in Cancer Pain Management, a Certified Pharmacist in Palliative Drug Therapy, and a physician.
Beyond pharmacological approaches, the session covered techniques such as nerve blocks and spinal analgesia.
Lively discussions emphasized the need for coordinated care systems to support patients suffering from refractory cancer pain in Okinawa, highlighting the importance of shared understanding among healthcare professionals.

We sincerely thank all participants for their valuable contributions.
We remain committed to advancing the quality of palliative care in Okinawa through continued collaboration and professional development.