Literature Review

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

Interventions for bereavement-What works, what does not, and what mightJAMA Psychiatry; by Charles F. Reynolds III, Holly G. Prigerson, M. Katherine Shear, Sidney Zisook; 4/26The 2025 publication commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of a systematic review of “Interventions to Improve Care of Bereaved Persons” provides a timely opportunity to continue—and to deepen—a conversation of great importance about the universal experience of grief and its burdens, both personal and related to public health. The report was prepared at the Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center in Los Angeles; it aimed to review available evidence on screening, diagnosing, and treating children and adults with grief disorders related to bereavement. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration convened an independent subject matter advisory panel to assess the feasibility of developing standards for high-quality bereavement and grief care.  

Communication processes and priorities in Medical Aid in Dying conversations: A cross-sectional qualitative study of multidisciplinary cancer cliniciansCancer Medicine; by Meghan McDarby, Alix Youngblood, Megan Miller, William E Rosa, Haley Buller, Betty R Ferrell; 4/26Medical aid in dying (MAiD) is a practice that enables eligible individuals with a terminal, life-limiting illness to end their lives in a self-directed way. Multidisciplinary care teams play a vital role in facilitating discussions and patient decision making about MAiD in cancer care settings. Four themes were identified as communication priorities and processes critical for multidisciplinary teams when discussing MAiD with cancer patients: (1) addressing complexity of MAiD ... ; (2) thorough palliative care assessment; (3) strategies for clinicians and healthcare systems to optimize MAiD discussions; and (4) person-centered care that de-stigmatizes MAiD. Findings underscore the distinct complexity of MAiD discussions in oncology and highlight the need for tailored, person-centered approaches that go beyond standard end-of-life communication.

[Singapore] Factors associated with caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients on home-based palliative care: A systematic reviewPalliative Medicine; by Wei-Ling Koh, Jerrald Lau, Chermaine Ang, Choon Meng Yee, Sara Ho, Ker-Kan Tan; 4/26Home hospice services are increasingly central to palliative care as more patients express preference for care or death at home. In these settings, the role of family caregivers becomes crucial.  Heterogeneity across studies highlighted uniqueness of patient-caregiver dyads on caregiver burden - for instance, family caregivers with multiple social roles may face heightened pressure from meeting patients' care demands. Other factors include logistical, financial or care arrangement matters. Caregiver burden interventions should adopt multi-pronged approaches to ensure holistic support for patients and family caregivers, such as incorporating both medical and psychosocial support to enhance wellbeing of both parties.

[New Zealand and Australia] Most palliative care doctors back research into psychedelic medicines for end of life careNews Wire; 4/12/26A survey of palliative care doctors in New Zealand and Australia has found overwhelming support for more research into psychedelic medicines for patients facing terminal illness, adding weight to growing calls for a regulated pathway that would allow clinicians to explore what some researchers describe as transformative treatments. The study, which surveyed 93 palliative care physicians across both countries, found 88 per cent agreed that clinical use of psychedelic medicines for palliative patients warranted further investigation. [The source article referenced is Perceptions of Australasian palliative care physicians regarding the safety and efficacy of psychedelic medicines: An exploratory mixed-methods study; Psychedelics; by Nicholas Sawers, Michael Billingsley, David B. Menkes; 6/1/26.]

Saturday newsletters focus on headlines and research - enjoy!

Awards and Recognitions: April 2026

Derby Call to Post soundtrack and ringtone, from May 3, 2020 

CareFor expands continuum of care with hospice services in greater Austin Media Industry Observer, Austin, TX; by EINPresswire.com; 4/29/26 CareFor, a leading provider of post-acute and long-term care services, today announced the launch of CareFor Hospice in the greater Austin area. For more than 25 years, CareFor has delivered exceptional care across Central Texas, supporting families navigating the complexities of aging, illness, and injury. ... “Expanding our services to include hospice is a natural next step as we further extend the continuum of care CareFor provides, building on our commitment to go beyond traditional care and deliver peace of mind in every season,” said Catherine Vergara, CEO of CareFor.

Neto Foundation supports Southcoast hospice patients with $100K gift The Herald News, Fall River, MA; by Lurdes C. da Silva; 4/20/26 Southcoast Health at Home, a member of the Southcoast Health system, has received an endowment of $100,000 from the Neto Foundation. The endowment will benefit the not-for-profit home care provider through the Southcoast Health Compassion Fund, which provides additional care hours for hospice patients and their families.  ... “The value of hospice care in our region can’t be overstated, particularly when it is delivered with sensitivity, compassion and cultural understanding,” Southcoast Health President and CEO David O.McCready said.

Hospice scammer receives 2-year prison sentence Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 4/20/26 Alex Alexsanian, 48, received a federal prison sentence for defrauding Medicare of more than $14 million for hospice services and diagnostic imaging that was never provided. Alexsanian also pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was sentenced to two years and three months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $3 million in proceeds from the scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He allegedly conspired to commit fraud with California hospice owner Sophia Shaklian, 38, who in March was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $14 million in restitution. 

The importance of communication in pediatric and perinatal palliative care Catholic Exchange; by serenella Verduchi; 4/20/26 The word “communicate” comes from the Latin communicare, which means “to share,” “to make known,” or “to bring together.” ... The etymology of this word prompts us to reflect on how communication is more than just a space for interaction or a duty; it is a gift. Just as we strive to pay attention to the details when offering a gift, so too must we show care for others when choosing our words, because the power of words is great—they can give hope and transform a person’s life for the better, or they can linger and affect the person for the worse.