Clinical medicine (London, England)
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Established as a medical specialty in 1987, palliative medicine approaches middle age facing existential questions of identity, purpose and vision. Time has weakened strong foundations laid by Dame Cicely Saunders in research, education and clinical excellence. Clinical knowledge gaps are wide, and widening. ⋯ Experience shows that caution must be applied where the evidence base is sparse. While as a specialty we must remain forward looking and progressive in our mindset, it cannot be assumed that these new interventions alone will provide the solutions to the old problems that exist in palliative medicine. This review summarises the key points presented in the Palliative Medicine section of the RCP Clinical Medicine Conference, 2022.