Literature Review

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

Innovation in health equity research among priority populationsNursing Outlook; by Lenette M. Jones, Tam H. Nguyen, Forgive Avorgbedor, Crystal Chapman Lambert, Jean Edward, Michelle L. Litchman, Kimberly Souffront, Maya N. Clark-Cutaia, Dawn M. Aycock; 3/26All people deserve adequate health care and representation in research to ensure that their assessments, treatments, and services are effective. Historically, priority populations have endured the greatest inequities and disparities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes. Priority populations include, but are not limited to, racial/ethnic minorities, women, older adults, rural residents, persons living in poverty, and persons with disabilities. A core mission of the Betty Irene Moore (BIM) Fellowship Program, started in 2020, was to develop nurses as catalysts in resolving healthcare deficiencies through bold leadership and innovation. The authors describe priority populations of interest among BIM fellows and how their fellowship-funded projects are tailored and targeted to advance health equity.

[Telangana, India] Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction activities on family caregiver burden in patients with dementia-A pilot studyHome Healthcare Now; by Jala Sireesha, Jayasree Manukinda, Sudhindra Vooturi, Sai Sirisha, Shanmukhi Somayajula, Sita JayalakshmiProgressive functional decline and behavioral disturbances in people with dementia place sustained emotional and practical demands on family caregivers, often resulting in chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and a high perceived caregiving burden. This pilot study examined the effects of an 8-week online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on psychological burden and well-being among family caregivers of people with dementia. Following the intervention, caregivers demonstrated significant improvements, including reduced perceived burden, lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and improved functional engagement. Given its virtual delivery and low resource requirements, MBSR has the potential to be integrated into routine caregiver support services, particularly for those with limited access to in-person interventions.

The human thread: Weaving human-centered leadership in health care into culture transformationNurse Leader; by Stephanie Lonzo, Lindsey Colangelo, Kay Kennedy, Lucy Leclerc, Susan Campis; 3/26A large community hospital embraced implementation of Human-Centered Leadership in Health Care by including leaders from every discipline in a hybrid-style leadership development program. After completing the program, the leaders participated in the development of a hospital-wide brand statement which served as a collective WHY for the organization. This statement, which included human-centered principles, provided alignment, connection, and accountability across the organization. Leaders led differently, prioritizing care for self, and leading others in a relational approach. The culture transformation resulted in improved staff engagement, retention, patient experience, and quality outcomes. The senior nurse leaders share their culture transformation experience.

“I just feel alone and by myself”: how adolescents experience loneliness when their parent has cancer BMC Public Health; by Lydia Mckeown, Martin Dempster, Jenny Groarke & Lisa Graham-Wisener; 3/31/26... Adolescents experiencing parental cancer report intrapersonal loneliness and interpersonal loneliness across their peer group and family life. Healthcare professionals should identify if patients have young dependent children early on so they can support parents to provide age-appropriate information about cancer to their young people and signpost parents to relevant support for their children. Editor's Note: This need becomes even more urgent when a parent is dying. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hospice Conditions of Participation reference “family” 423 times—an intentional reminder that hospcie care extends beyond the patient. Supporting parents as they support their children is both essential and expected.

Carolina Caring, nationally-recognized serious illness care provider, expands services to Davie County Carolina Caring, Davie County, NC; Press Release; 4/1/26 Carolina Caring, the nonprofit serious illness care provider serving Western North Carolina and the Charlotte Region, announces an expansion of services into Davie County. Carolina Caring is one of the first 3 hospice organizations established in North Carolina and has remained committed to the mission of providing high-quality, compassionate care for more than 45 years. The organization continues to evolve to meet the growing needs and expectations of the populations it serves. The expansion into Davie County follows a period of significant organizational growth and distinction.

Hospice where staggering 97% of terminal patients survive is accused of defrauding Medicare for $7.45 million CBS News Bay Area; by Adam Yamaguchi, Laura Geller, Rachel Gold; 4/2/26 The FBI arrested a married couple Thursday accused of fraudulently billing Medicare for $7.45 million while running a hospice with a survival rate reported to be more than 97% after five years. They were the first in a series of arrests planned Thursday, federal officials told CBS News. A high survival rate at a hospice provider is one of a series of red flags identified by state auditors for fraud because most people enter hospice care in the final stages of a terminal illness. In past cases of fraud, operators were found to be using false or stolen identities to collect federal reimbursements for palliative care. The targets of the early-morning operation were Gladwin and Amelou Gill, a doctor and psychologist who co-own 626 Hospice, which does business as St. Francis Palliative Care, according to the FBI. 

Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties hosts Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony The Chronicle, Orange County and Sullivan County, NY; Press Release; 4/2/26 Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties hosted a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony on March 30 at the Cornwall Yacht Club, bringing together veterans, community members and local leaders to recognize the service and sacrifice of Vietnam-era veterans and reaffirm its commitment to compassionate end-of-life care. ... The ceremony included the reading of the names of Vietnam veterans from Orange and Sullivan Counties who lost their lives in service, followed by a moment of silence. A Missing Man Table presentation honored those who never returned.

Expert panel updating NCHPC’s Palliative Care Clinical Practice Guidelines Hospice News; by Kevin Ryan; 4/1/26 The National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care (NCHPC) has chosen a panel of 33 palliative care experts to develop the 5th edition of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care. Originally created in 2004, through the National Consensus Project, the guidelines established the first national, evidence-based standards for the palliative care field. The guidelines have been updated four times since 2004 and have been endorsed by more than 90 health and professional health care worker organizations.