Repeated exposure to trauma narratives and professional quality of life in palliative and end-of-life healthcare providers
Palliative & Supportive Care; by Suzanne A Brier, Amy L Nadel, Charlotte Stone, Rebecca M Schwartz; 3/26
This study examined how repeated exposure to trauma narratives influences professional quality of life, including burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and compassion satisfaction (CS), among end-of-life healthcare providers. Conclusions: Repeated exposure to trauma narratives is a meaningful occupational stressor for end-of-life clinicians. Resilience and organizational support appear to protect against the negative impact of trauma exposure and promote CS, highlighting key multilevel targets for trauma-informed workforce interventions. Furthermore, by identifying specific resilience factors and support systems that buffer against psychological distress, these findings offer actionable insights for developing targeted interventions to mitigate long-term professional harm.

Spiritual distress screening by nurses to increase comprehensive spiritual support of patients
Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Nair, Archana; Patterson, Dorothy; Hauver, Bethany; Labadie, Chelsey; 4/26
This project aimed to address a gap in nurses’ awareness of spiritual care and comprehensive spiritual support of patients in a breast oncology clinic at a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center through interdisciplinary collaboration with chaplaincy. Following education, nurses screened patients during their initial visit to the breast surgical oncology clinic who were experiencing moderate to severe distress for related existential themes of distress using an assessment tool and referred them to chaplaincy or social work based on the screening results. Nurse-initiated chaplain referrals increased significantly during the study period, with the most common distress themes being stress, hopes/fears, and assistance/help. Patient acceptance of referrals averaged 18.7% for chaplaincy and 33.1% for social work. By enhancing nurses’ understanding of spiritual care and the role of chaplaincy, the clinic was able to improve the provision of comprehensive spiritual support, contributing to holistic patient care. 

A scoping review of breakthrough cancer pain: Mapping the evidence landscape
Supportive Care in Cancer; by Mellar Davis, Russell Portenoy, Andrew Davies, Sebastiano Mercadante, Akhila Reddy, M R Rajagopal, Eduardo Bruera; 3/26
Breakthrough pain (BTP) in cancer populations is characterized by heterogeneous definitions, assessment approaches, and management strategies. This scoping review mapped the available evidence to characterize BTP concepts, describe the evidence base, and identify knowledge gaps. This scoping review maps heterogeneous evidence characterized by inconsistent definitions, selected populations, short-term outcomes, and geographic concentration. Key knowledge gaps include: standardized operational definitions, patient-centered functional outcomes, long-term efficacy and safety data, evidence from diverse settings and populations, and integration of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. The review provides a descriptive landscape but does not assess evidence quality or support treatment recommendations.

Racial disparities in non-stigmatized supportive care medication use in pancreatic cancer
Journal of Pain & Symptom Management; by Olga Monika Trejos Kweyete, Chardaé Whitner, David L. Deremer, Yi Guo, Jiang Bian, Lisa Scarton, Sherise C. Rogers, Diana J. Wilkie, Xiwei Lou, John M. Allen; 3/26
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is associated with a high symptom burden that contributes to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse clinical outcomes. This study examined racial and ethnic differences in the use of non-stigmatized SCMs [supportive care medications] during end-of-life care among patients with PC. SCM use was defined as at least one outpatient prescription claim for antiemetics, appetite stimulants, cognitive aids, headache aids, or sleep aids. Racial and ethnic disparities persist in the use of non-stigmatized SCMs among patients with PC at the end of life. These findings extend prior evidence on inequities in cancer symptom management and underscore the need for interventions that promote equitable access to supportive care medications across diverse populations.

[Canada] How do children think about death? A narrative review of historical and recent developmental perspectives examining children's understanding of death
Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry; by  Zachary D Fry, Adrianna Mendrek, Lia Gieg, Terra Léger-Goodes, David Lefrançois, Jonathan Smith, Nathalie Maltais, Marie-Claude Geoffroy, Marc-André Éthier, Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise; 3/26
This review sought to clarify what children understand about death and how they come to learn about it. Findings suggest that children develop an understanding of death through several key components across childhood. This knowledge may be acquired naturally through cognitive development and can also be shaped by direct exposure (e.g., the death of a loved one or pet) and/or indirect experiences (e.g., media depictions). When learned indirectly and without guidance, there is an increased risk of children formulating inaccurate or distressing attitudes toward death. Building on these insights, we offer developmentally adapted approaches for supporting children's understanding of death within pedagogical settings.

I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel. ~ Florence Nightingale