Literature Review

Timing of prognostic discussions in people with advanced cancer: a systematic reviewSupport Care Cancer, by Sharon H Nahm, Shalini Subramaniam, Martin R Stockler, Belinda E Kiely; 1/23/24Conclusions: Prognostic discussions with people with advanced cancer need to be individualised, and there are several key timepoints when doctors should attempt to initiate these conversations. These recommended timepoints can inform clinical trial design and communication training for doctors to help improve prognostic understanding.

A psychologist offers advice on 'being there' for aging parentsForbes, by Mark Travers; 1/22/24As our parents age, we find ourselves on a challenging emotional journey, one that often remains unspoken but deeply felt. It’s the journey of anticipatory grief, a complex mix of emotions and thoughts that arise as we witness our parents becoming older, weaker and more frail. This concept, often overshadowed by post-loss grief, is equally devastating.

Masonic Village Elizabethtown hosts hiring event to combat nurse shortageFox43 WPMT, by Cyera Williams; 1/24/24According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of registered nurses (RNs) that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. Masonic Village at Elizabethtown is combatting that shortage by hosting a nursing service hiring event ... 

Soul doctors: How Minnesota chaplains' roles are changingMPR News, by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom; 1/24/24Chaplains often show up on the worst days of people’s lives. They arrive in a hospital room after a distressing diagnosis. They accompany police to help inform someone of a loved one’s death. One in four Americans have been visited by a chaplain, usually at a hospital or hospice, ... But the role of spiritual caregiver is evolving as society becomes both less religious and more religiously diverse.Editor's Note: Click here for the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc., Palliative Care & Hospice Certification

Craft a memorial pillow for your loved one at this DeKalb workshopShaw Local News Network; 1/22/24The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Northern Illinois Hospice to host a workshop for patrons to create pillows out of a loved one’s shirt. ... Attendees can create up to two pillows out of a T-shirt or button-down shirt. Sewers will be available to assist. Participants should not bring denim, jackets or thick fabrics. Bereavement information and support will be provided.Editor's Note: Explore this lovely, meaningful activity for your hospice's bereavement care, volunteer services, and community outreach.

Palliative telecare team aids QOL, health status for chronic conditionsHealthDay News, by Lori Solomon; 1/23/24Use of a nurse and social worker palliative telecare team is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life at six months for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, or interstitial lung disease (ILD) versus usual care, according to a study published in the Jan. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Nurses declare intent to strike

Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care hit with data breach of patient informationThe Daily Record (MD); 1/23/24Salisbury-based Coastal Hospice & Palliative Care on Tuesday reported a data security incident that involved some of its patient data including certain personal and protected health information. Coastal Hospice has sent notification of this incident to potentially affected individuals and provided resources to assist them.

Hospice providers must be better regulatedScientific American, 2/1/24 (also ran last week)Too many hospice providers in the U.S. are run by private equity and for-profit corporations. A lack of regulation allows them to provide abysmal end-of-life care.

Policy experts on cost, accessibility, other details in Assembly GOP medical marijuana planWisconsin Examiner, by Baylor Spears; 1/22/24The proposal by [Wisconsin] Assembly Republicans would create the Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation in the Department of Health Services. The office which would maintain a registry of patients and caregivers who could purchase medical cannabis products from one of five state-run dispensaries. Access would be limited to patients with certain medical conditions, and available products would include oils, edibles and pills but exclude anything smokeable.

Northwestern researchers find significant racial disparities in pediatric health careThe Daily Northwestern, by Isaiah Steinberg; 1/21/24Despite controlling for health insurance status, researchers found vast disparities in health care quality in several pediatric specialties such as neonatal care, emergency medicine and palliative care. ... Researchers saw greatest disparity in care occurred in pain management, with non-white children less likely to be prescribed painkillers for serious medical conditions.

Don’t stop dreamin’ turns nursing home residents’ dreams into realityiAdvanceSeniorCare, by Paige Cerulli; 1/22/24The nonprofit now works to fulfill dreams for residents of all Quality Life Services homes, as well as for patients of Three Rivers Hospice. “There is one employee at all ten locations, including Three Rivers Hospice, that represents Don’t Stop Dream’ as a Dream Ambassador,” explains [Paula] Elder. “They are responsible for learning about our residents and patients’ needs and dreams, and submitting them for request. Most dreams are typically granted to our residents and patients after research is completed to ensure their safety, travel arrangements (if necessary), and staffing is available.”