Literature Review



How Empath Health integrates end-of-life care into PACE

06/30/25 at 03:05 AM

How Empath Health integrates end-of-life care into PACEHospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/26/25Under the Programs for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) model, patients generally do not transition to the Medicare Hospice Benefit as they near death. Consequently, Empath Health has taken pains to ensure quality end-of-life care is integrated into its program. Empath considers these services to be a key component of its “Full Life Care” model, that seeks to longitudinally support patients over the course of their serious or terminal illness, according to Dr. Nick Joseph, senior vice president of Empath’s Complete Care Division. The organization provides end-of-life care in the home, with services that mirror its hospice program.

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Big Bend Hospice unveils new mobile medical unit Thursday in Tallahassee

06/30/25 at 03:05 AM

Big Bend Hospice unveils new mobile medical unit Thursday in Tallahassee[FL] WCTV; by Ava Van Valen and WCTV staff; 6/26/25Big Bend Hospice and its parent organization, Seven Oaks Health, unveiled Thursday their new Seven Oaks Health Care mobile medical unit. Seven Oaks Health said the new medical unit is part of its mission to bring compassionate, expert support to patients and families in our community. “The focus of our mobile unit is really to improve access to end-of-life care and palliative care services throughout our region,” said Chief Medical Officer Debrah Morris. “A lot of people love to come to Leon County, but a lot of people can’t, and many of our patients are homebound, but they have caregivers who can’t drive into Leon County.”

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Today's Encouragement 6/30/25

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

If you feel pain, you are alive. If you feel other people's pain, you are a human being. ~Leo Tolstoy

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Memorable leadership: What makes certain leaders unforgettable

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Memorable leadership: What makes certain leaders unforgettableForbes; by Joseph Folkman; 6/26/25Here are the 10 standout leadership behaviors that separate exceptional leaders from the rest:

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'Very shocking' | Warner Robins neighbors in shock after elderly couple found dead at their home

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

'Very shocking' | Warner Robins neighbors in shock after elderly couple found dead at their home[GA] 13WMAZ; by Jasamine Lee; 6/26/25A quiet Warner Robins neighborhood is reeling after police say an elderly couple was found dead in what investigators believe was a murder-suicide. According to Warner Robins Police, officers responded to a home on Hillcrest Avenue around 6 p.m. Wednesday for a welfare check. When they arrived, they discovered 88-year-old Robert Moll dead in the backyard from a gunshot wound. Inside the home, his wife, 80-year-old Judy Moll, was also found dead from an apparent gunshot wound... Neighbors said the Molls had been facing serious health issues and that hospice nurses visited the home frequently. Captain Paula Blevins with the Salvation Army said that cases of intimate partner violence often remain hidden. “Intimate partner violence is very heartbreaking, always very heartbreaking,” Blevins said. “It affects more than 12 million people in the United States every year.”Publisher's note: How does your hospice evaluate possible partner violence? How can your hospice prepare - before the fact - to handle such a situation after the fact?

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Why research palliative, supportive, and end-of-life care?

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Why research palliative, supportive, and end-of-life care?Oxford Academic; by David C Currow, Nancy Preston; 5/25[Chapter 1 in Research Methods in Palliative, Supportive, and End-of-Life Care, Second edition.] It is crucial that clinical practice and public policy in palliative care are based upon the most robust research. In palliative care, the benefits of interventions offered have been systematically overestimated, and their harms underestimated. High-quality evidence is needed that directly informs practice by understanding how patients and carers experience palliative care and how best to respond to their feedback.

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Bioethicists must push back against assaults on diversity, equity, and inclusion

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Bioethicists must push back against assaults on diversity, equity, and inclusionThe American Journal of Bioethics; by Nancy S. Jecker, Arthur Caplan, Vardit Ravitsky, Patrick Smith, Kayhan Parsi, Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, Faith Fletcher, Mildred Cho, Keisha Ray; 6/25Nine leading bioethicists, including Hastings Center President Vardit Ravitsky, call for bioethics to affirm its core commitment to justice and act against the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In an editorial published in the American Journal of Bioethics, they highlight the current administration’s broadside attack against diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, the federal government, and the private sector. “Years of research and data gathering have shown that removing barriers facing marginalized groups improves population health and promotes health justice,” they write.

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Tending to sexuality and intimacy in hospice and palliative medicine

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Tending to sexuality and intimacy in hospice and palliative medicineAAHPM Summer Quarterly; by Danielle Chammas, Teddy Scheel, Mike Rabow; 6/27/25Sexuality and intimacy are often absent from the list of concerns routinely addressed in hospice and palliative medicine (HPM), despite being central to quality of life for many patients. This is rarely an intentional omission and often reflects deep barriers that exist on multiple levels, including our own discomfort as clinicians. Building our capacity to tend to patients’ experiences with sex and intimacy is supported by clinician preparation in the domains of (1) personal reflection to understand the impact of our own attitudes, identities, and biases; (2) skill development to inclusively and nonjudgmentally open and hold space for these conversations; and (3) utilization of biopsychosocial assessment to guide treatment planning.

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A lesson in humility: Reviewing medical 'truths'

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

A lesson in humility: Reviewing medical 'truths'Medscape podcast; by Neil Skolnik; 6/25/25In this month's column, Dr Neil Skolnik delivers a lesson in humility by providing an overview of medical interventions that were obviously correct — until science proved otherwise. These examples serve not as an admonishment of medical practice, but rather as a reminder to physicians and scientists to always examine their assumptions and stay up to date with research, because our understanding of disease states and treatment courses can always change. Although we've come a long way, Dr Skolnik offers this advice: "Good medical advice moves in a zigzag path toward truth, and those who offer it must not pretend to know all the answers."

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Inside the Archives: How George Soros Changed End-of-Life Care in America

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Inside the Archives: How George Soros Changed End-of-Life Care in AmericaOpen Society Foundations; by Elizabeth Rubin; 6/27/25The Project on Death in America (PDIA) ran from 1994 to 2003, with an ambitious goal: to transform the experience of dying in the U.S. Journalist Elizabeth Rubin spoke with Dr. Kathy Foley, the physician George Soros chose to lead it, to reflect on its impact... Soros’s fundamental belief was simple: Death deserves the same careful attention we give to life... [Dr. Kathy Foley commented] “We had to educate people that palliative care isn’t just about dying, but about supporting patients with serious illnesses and improving their quality of life.”Notable mentions: Kathy Foley, Susan D. Block, Robert ("Bo") A. Burt, Andy Billings, Robert N. Butler, David J. Rothman, Joanne Lynn, Patricia Prem, Ana Dumois, William Zabel, James Tulsky, Tony Back, Bob Arnold, Diane E. Meyer, Center to Advance Palliative Care, R. Sean Morrison, National Palliative Care Research Center, Richard Payne, Angola Prison Project, Lewis Cohen, Judy Nelson, Steve Pantalat, Tammy Quest, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Kornfeld Foundation, Bill Moyers, and On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying.

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Regret is the price of playing it safe. Personal perspective: We wait too long to live with purpose.

06/30/25 at 03:00 AM

Regret is the price of playing it safe. Personal perspective: We wait too long to live with purpose.Psychology Today; by Jordan Grumet; 6/26/25Key points:

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Caring beyond cure-Perspectives of pediatric oncology nurses on end-of-life care

06/29/25 at 03:55 AM

Caring beyond cure-Perspectives of pediatric oncology nurses on end-of-life careJournal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Peter Scarperi, Meredith MacKenzie Greenle; 6/25In a sample of nursing students and nurses working in pediatric oncology, this mixed-methods study aimed to describe attitudes toward and experiences of providing end-of-life care and examine the relationship between education, work experience, and attitudes. Overall, participants held positive attitudes toward end-of-life care, with staff nurses more positive than student nurses. All participants had provided end-of-life care, yet only 2 (5.41%) thought their education thus far prepared them. Age, education, experience, and burnout were associated with attitudes toward providing end-of-life care. Qualitative themes included challenges of preparedness and training, the nurse’s role, and parent team barriers. Training in pediatric end-of-life care is crucial to improve nurses’ comfort with providing this care.

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National Alliance for Care at Home responds to Kennedy and Dr. Oz announcement on health insurance reform pledge

06/29/25 at 03:50 AM

National Alliance for Care at Home responds to Kennedy and Dr. Oz announcement on health insurance reform pledgeNational Alliance for Care at Home press release; 6/23/25“The Alliance welcomes today’s announcement made by Secretary Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz regarding commitments from major health insurers to streamline prior authorization practices, including implementing enhanced digital interoperability standards and reducing administrative barriers,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO for the Alliance. “If these promises are fully kept, this could be a meaningful step toward addressing longstanding barriers that have delayed access to critical care at home for patients who need it.”

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Mindfulness and relaxation interventions reduce depression, negative affect and stress in widow(er)s

06/29/25 at 03:45 AM

Mindfulness and relaxation interventions reduce depression, negative affect and stress in widow(er)sJournal of Loss and Trauma; by Lindsey M. Knowles, Deanna M. Kaplan, Melissa Flores, Sydney E. Friedman, Mary-Frances O’Connor; 6/25Mindfulness training (MT) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) interventions show promise for improving bereavement-related grief (Knowles et al. 2021). Mindfulness training (MT) develops the systematic and secular practice of focusing one’s attention on present moment experiences, emotions, and thoughts, from an open, nonreactive, and nonjudgmental perspective (Bishop et al., 2004). Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) facilitates physiological and psychological relaxation via a systematic release of generated bodily tension (Bernstein et al., 2000). MT and PMRhave been shown to reduce depression relapse, and improve depression, perceived stress, mindfulness and/or quality of life in clinical and non-clinical populations ...

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A pregnant brain-dead woman in Georgia was kept on life support. Experts say it raises ethical, legal questions

06/29/25 at 03:40 AM

A pregnant brain-dead woman in Georgia was kept on life support. Experts say it raises ethical, legal questionsABC News; by Mary Kekatos; 6/19/25Adriana Smith, a brain-dead woman in Georgia, was kept on life support until her fetus was viable. Experts say it raises ethical and legal questions. Adriana Smith, a 31-year-old Georgia nurse and mother, was just eight weeks pregnant when she was declared brain dead in February after suffering a medical condition. However, the family claims the hospital told them legally she had to be kept on life support to allow the fetus to grow. The family claims doctors told them they were not legally allowed to consider other options, according to local Atlanta station 11Alive. Last week, Smith's baby was born by emergency Caesarean section, weighing under 2 pounds and needing care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), reported 11Alive.Publisher's note: This situation raises numerous ethical end-of-life questions - highlighting the importance of hospices having or connecting with local ethics experts.

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A sacred commitment: Eden Memorial Jewish Funeral Home and Chapel in New Jersey upholds Jewish burial traditions

06/29/25 at 03:35 AM

A sacred commitment: Eden Memorial Jewish Funeral Home and Chapel in New Jersey upholds Jewish burial traditions The MarCom Journal, Fort Lee, NJ; by Frank Patti; 6/17/25 As contemporary life continues to evolve, Eden Memorial Chapel in Fort Lee remains dedicated to honoring Jewish burial traditions that have guided generations. Located at 327 Main Street, this New Jersey Jewish funeral home and chapel serves communities across New Jersey and New York, including Englewood, Manhattan, Harlem, Yonkers, and Newark, offering a full range of funeral services grounded in halachic practice and compassionate care. The funeral home’s approach reflects a balance between tradition and modern needs. Its services are structured around sacred Jewish customs, including Tahara (ritual purification), Shmira (guarding the deceased), and the use of a traditional Aron (plain wooden casket without metal parts). These practices are carried out in accordance with rabbinical standards and in coordination with Chevra Kadisha organizations, ensuring religious integrity throughout. 

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National Alliance for Care at Home champions bipartisan legislation to transform access to quality in-home skilled nursing

06/29/25 at 03:30 AM

National Alliance for Care at Home champions bipartisan legislation to transform access to quality in-home skilled nursingNational Alliance for Care at Home press release; by Elyssa Katz; 6/20/25The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is pleased to support the introduction of the Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 1920, introduced by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) aims to improve the quality and accessibility of skilled nursing care by modernizing Medicaid’s approach to private duty nursing.

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BrightSpring’s president of hospice services resigns

06/29/25 at 03:25 AM

BrightSpring’s president of hospice services resignsHospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/20/25Michael McMaude has resigned as the president of hospice services of BrightSpring Health Services, effective Friday. He will continue to provide services to the company as a non-employee consultant, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing by BrightSpring... BrightSpring is a home- and community-based health care services platform that serves more than 400,000 patients daily across all 50 states. The Louisville, Kentucky-based company provides hospice, home health, primary care, rehabilitation, pharmaceuticals, behavioral and home health. BrightSpring went public last year with a $1 billion initial public offering (IPO).

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Leading PBMs face increasing scrutiny from states

06/29/25 at 03:20 AM

Leading PBMs face increasing scrutiny from statesHealthcare Brew; by Nicole Ortiz; 6/18/25Iowa is the latest to impose limits on how PBMs can operate in the state... It all started when Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law on April 16 saying any company that owns a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) would be prohibited from also owning or operating pharmacies in the state. That’s seemingly bad news for the Big 3 PBMs—Cigna Group’s Express Scripts, CVS’s Caremark, and UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx, which collectively control nearly 80% of the market—seeing as they all also operate pharmacy chains. Now the state of Iowa wants to get in on the action, with Governor Kim Reynolds signing a law on June 11 to change how PBMs operate in the state.

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[St. Catharines, Canada] Niagara woman gives back to Hospice Niagara

06/29/25 at 03:15 AM

[St. Catharines, Canada] Niagara woman gives back to Hospice NiagaraNOTLLocal.com; Niagara-on-the-Lake local staff; 6/17/25Angie Roberts' father spent the final days of his life at Hospice Niagara, after months of being cared for by his family at home. What started with murals on the walls of her own home led Angie Roberts to a new project: a floral mural in the supportive counsellor’s office at Hospice Niagara. When Angie Roberts lost her father, Harold Griffith, to lymphoma, she found comfort and healing in something unexpected: a paintbrush... “Going to hospice was a huge relief for us. It was a gift,” she said. “It was really a wonderful gift that hospice was able to give to our family.” Angie wanted to give back for the care her dad received, while creating a warm and welcoming space for other families in their time of need. The mural features colourful flowers inspired by the fresh bouquets placed in every residence room, including her dad’s favourite — a yellow carnation— and patterned leaves drawn from the quilts that cover every bed.

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Sacred moment experiences among internal medicine physicians

06/29/25 at 03:10 AM

Sacred moment experiences among internal medicine physiciansJAMA Network Open; by Jessica Ameling, Nathan Houchens, M. Todd Greene, David Ratz, Martha Quinn, Latoya Kuhn, Sanjay Saint; 5/25Some have described sacred moments as sudden intimacies or moments of deep memorable connection with another person. The health care setting is replete with opportunities for the types of human connections that lead to sacred moments, such as times of crises or grief, or conversely, times of great happiness. These moments leave participants with a sense of joy, peace, and empathy for the others involved. In this survey study of 629 physicians, 68% reported experiencing a sacred moment with a patient, and physicians who considered themselves very spiritual or possessing a strong sense of purpose in life or work had increased odds of experiencing a sacred moment. Both experiencing sacred moments often and discussing them with colleagues were associated with less burnout [and] improve[d] physician well-being.

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h/care expands presence in Arizona through partnership with American Premier Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care

06/29/25 at 03:05 AM

h/care expands presence in Arizona through partnership with American Premier Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative CareUS Daily Ledger press release; 6/24/25h/care, a national leader in home health and hospice care, proudly announces the addition of American Premier Home Health, Hospice, and Palliative Care, a highly respected provider in the Phoenix area, to its growing platform. This partnership which commenced in February marks another significant milestone in h/care’s mission to deliver high-touch, high-tech, and high-trust care to aging Americans in their homes.

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Sunday newsletters

06/29/25 at 03:00 AM

Sunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!

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Today's Encouragement 6/29/25

06/29/25 at 03:00 AM

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children... This is to have succeeded. ~Bessie Anderson Stanley (often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson)

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From burnout to belonging: Creating space for grief in clinical education

06/29/25 at 03:00 AM

From burnout to belonging: Creating space for grief in clinical education American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Journals Blog; by Rachita Gupta; 6/16/25 ... While significant progress has been made in addressing burnout and emotional distress in medicine, and in incorporating these topics into medical education, many clinicians remain hesitant and uncertain about how to address grief and distress from patient care in day-to-day clinical practice. This uncertainty exists both in terms of their own experiences and, even more so, in supporting trainees. A lack of emotional processing in these difficult situations can accelerate burnout and further disconnect clinicians from the humanism and vulnerability that are intrinsic to the privilege of practicing medicine. ... The recently published Hospital Pediatrics article by Bloomhardt et al, “Good Grief? Introducing the TEARS Framework for Educator to Support Learners Experiencing Grief,” (10.1542/hpeds.2024-008096) addresses the hesitancy many clinicians experience when assessing learners’ emotional processing during or after distressing patient cases by introducing the TEARS framework. ...Editor's Note: See a related post in today's newsletter, "“Her toes fell off into my hand”: 50 moments that changed healthcare workers forever."

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