Literature Review

How to talk about death Maine Public Radio, by Jennifer Rooks and Cindy Han; 4/5/24 Talking about death is not easy. We'll discuss why stigma and discomfort can impede end-of-life conversations, for the person who may be nearing death as well as for friends and family members. We'll find out how to address the emotional and spiritual aspects of dying. And we'll discuss the more practical legal, financial and medical matters to handle before and after someone has died.Panelists: Julie Weiss, social worker, Hospice of Southern Maine; Dr. Paul Segal, nephrologist, assistant professor of medicine; helped create curriculum for end-of-life doula students, University of New England; Dr. Fernando Moreno, palliative care specialist; medical director, Hospice of Southern Maine

I work with dying Trump supporters. It's...confusingDaily Kos, by Scott Janssen; 4/6/24Publisher's note: There weren't a couple sentences to summarize this opinion piece. In our advocacy, we often say "death and hospice are bipartisan". This article challenges us to ethically wrestle with our biases (political or otherwise) to professionally provide excellent end-of-life care.

Thinking outside the box: eco concerns prompt greener funeral options Positive.News, by Alison McClintock; 4/5/24 Keeping a lid on your carbon footprint doesn’t stop with your last breath. Your choice of funeral can have a significant environmental impact. In a recent report by the US-based National Funeral Directors Association, 60.5% of those surveyed expressed their interest in greener options including resomation (water cremation) human composting and natural burials.  And while the UK’s funeral preferences are currently split 80:20 between cremations and burials, YouGov research finds that almost a third (29%) of people in the UK would choose alternative committal methods if available. 

New safeguards added to New York's proposed Medical Aid in Dying ActSpectrum News 1, by Luke Parsnow; 4/5/24The two architects behind New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act have amended added additional safeguards to the legislation in the hope it can soon become law. The act would allow terminally ill, mentally capable adults who have been given six months or less to live to take their own lives with a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs.

Champions play as they practice. Create a consistency of excellence in all your habits. – Mike Krzyzewski Editor's Note: Dedicated to March Madness 2025 teams. Dedicated to the hospice and palliative care organizations who will provide care to your family and friends this next year.

Hospitals cash in on a private equity-backed trend: Concierge physician care KFF Health News, by Phil Galewitz; 4/1/24 Nonprofit hospitals created largely to serve the poor are adding concierge physician practices, charging patients annual membership fees of $2,000 or more for easier access to their doctors. It’s a trend that began decades ago with physician practices. Thousands of doctors have shifted to the concierge model, in which they can increase their income while decreasing their patient load. ...

Northwell, Memorial Hermann and others join Aegis consortiumModern Healthcare, by Gabriel Perna; 4/2/24 Nine health systems, including Northwell Health and Memorial Hermann Health, System joined a digital consortium led by startup studio Aegis Ventures. Aegis, which creates, invests and operates digital health companies, said Tuesday the consortium will develop, invest in and deploy digital health solutions. 

Frontline burnout in healthcare: A growing crisis demands action MedCity News, by Russ Richmond; 4/4/24Implementing diverse and sustained strategies to empower frontline workers should be the cornerstone of any modern healthcare workforce management program. The healthcare industry faces a critical challenge: rampant burnout among its workforce. Recent data paints a concerning picture: 46% of healthcare workers report feeling burned out (CDC), and 41% of nurses in direct patient care roles are considering leaving their roles (McKinsey). These numbers – significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels – point towards systemic issues demanding immediate attention.

South Dakota State University Nursing School: Hitting the mark where it matters South Dakota State University, "A Message from Dean Krogh," by Mary Anne Krogh; 4/2/24As we welcome the blooming of spring (and the melting of snow), it brings me great joy to reflect on the remarkable achievements and growth within the SDSU College of Nursing. ... One area that fills me with pride is the remarkable expansion we have experienced in the areas of palliative care, rural health and simulation research. These vital areas not only represent the forefront of nursing innovation but also reflect our dedication to addressing critical health care needs in diverse communities. Editor's Note: Congratulations to South Dakota State University School and Dean Krogh! You are hitting the mark for several crucial, timely issues that continue to emerge in the news feeds we receive and distribute to our readers. 

Improved onboarding process could boost worker retentionMcKnights Senior Living, by Kathleen Steel Gaivin; 4/8/24As long-term care providers navigate post-pandemic workforce challenges, they also need to improve the onboarding process, according to the results of a new survey by Viventium. ... The study detailed in the company’s 2024 Caregiver Onboarding Experience Report solicited responses from 175 administrators and caregivers in skilled nursing, assisted living, independent living, home health, home care and hospice care in November and December. The survey, Viventium said, found a “shockingly low bar for what passes as a ‘good’ onboarding experience, with strong indications that raising that bar could correlate to higher retention rates.”Editor's Note: See the article in today's newsletter, "A day in the life: Hospice nurse" for the importance of onboarding hospice nurses to to differences between long-term care and hospice care.

How Large Language Models will improve the patient experience MedCity News, by Piotr Orzechowski; 4/4/24 An LLM [Lare Language Model] is a form of artificial intelligence that can generate human-like text and functions as a form of an input – output machine, according to Stanford Medicine. The input is a text prompt, and the output is represented by a text-based response powered by an algorithm that swiftly sifts through and condenses billions of data points into the most probable answer, based on available information. LLMs bring great potential to help the healthcare industry center care around patients’ needs by improving communication, access, and engagement. However, LLMs also present significant challenges associated with privacy and bias that also must be considered.

New documentary explores how Lower Moreland’s Terri Schiavo’s story captured the nation Delco.Today, by Tracey Romero; 4/3/24 Between Life & Death: Terri Schiavo’s Story, a new documentary about the right-to-die case of Lower Moreland Township native Terri Schiavo is streaming on Peacock, writes Brian Brant for People. Schiavo who lived in Florida with her husband lived in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years after experiencing cardiac arrest. The documentary explores the familial legal battle over whether or not Schiavo’s feeding tube should be removed.

Medical marijuana laws benefit patients without harming public mental health, study finds ScienceBlog, University of Basel; 4/4/24 A study by researchers at the University of Basel has found that the approval of marijuana for medical use in the United States has had little impact on the mental health of the general population, while benefiting those for whom it is intended. The study, which analyzed data from nearly eight million people, sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding the effects of marijuana legalization on public well-being and its therapeutic value.