Literature Review

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I’m practicing the discipline of not having to have the last word. ~Dallas Willard

Effects of a discourse intervention on end-of-life knowledge and attitudes of Bachelor of Science in Nursing studentsJournal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Haynes, Jayme G. PhD, RN, Dingley, Catherine PhD, RN, FAAN; 6/24The findings indicated increased knowledge and positive attitude changes. This study supports the value of theory-based educational interventions, like a discourse intervention, to enhance effective pedagogy when addressing emotionally laden content such as end-of-life care. This study may have also given a glimpse of how a global pandemic may affect end-of-life knowledge and attitudes.

NeoTalk: Communication skills training for neonatal cliniciansAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Katherine F. Guttmann, MD, Malorie Meshkati, MD, Julia Frydman, MD, Cardinale B. Smith, MD, PhD, Lindsay Dow, MD, and Andrea S. Weintraub, MD; 6/24A multi-disciplinary cohort of NICU providers endorsed increased confidence in key communication skills but not increased skill application 2-months post-course completion. While a single course can successfully teach skills, additional exposure may be necessary to build new communication habits. Our experience developing NeoTalk helped elucidate some of the ways in which conversations about seriously ill infants may be different from conversations about seriously ill adults.

Less care at higher cost - The Medicare Advantage paradoxJAMA Internal Medicine; by Adam Gaffney, MD, MPH, Stephanie Woolhandler, MD, MPH, David U. Himmelstein, MD; 6/24Celebrating a Medicare Advantage (MA) milestone—enrollment in those private plans surpassed 30 million—the health insurance industry’s trade group proclaimed MA “a good deal for members and taxpayers.” The first part of that claim is debatable, while the second part is false. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), the nonpartisan agency reporting to Congress, recently estimated that MA overpayments added $82 billion to taxpayers’ costs for Medicare in 2023 and $612 billion between 2007 and 2024.Publisher's Note: "You're getting less care, but at least it costs more" is right in line with my mantra "I may be old, but at least I'm slow"...

Palliative care in early dementia: A scoping reviewJournal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Karen de Sola-Smith, Joni Gilissen, Jenny T van der Steen, Inbal Mayan, Lieve Van den Block, Christine S Ritchie, Lauren J HuntThe literature on palliative care in early dementia is sparse. Future studies should focus on assessment tools for optimizing timing of palliative care in early dementia, gaining better understanding of patient and family needs during early phases of disease, and providing training for providers and families in long-term relationships and communication around goals of care and future planning.

“I should’ve been able to decide for myself, but I didn’t want to be left alone.” A qualitative interview study of clients’ ethical challenges and norms regarding decision-making in gender-affirming medical careJournal of Homosexuality; by Karl Gerritse, MD, MA, PhD, Casper Martens, MSc, Baudewijntje P.C. Kreukels, PhD, Marijke A. Bremmer, MD, Fijgje de Boer, PhD, Bert C. Molewijk, PhD; 6/24[The Netherlands] This qualitative study aimed to map and provide insight into the ethical challenges and norms of adult transgender and gender diverse (TGD) clients in gender-affirming medical care (GAMC). By doing so, we seek to make an empirical and constructive contribution to the dialogue on and moral inquiry into what good decision-making in GAMC should entail. ... Our findings highlight divergent and dynamic decisional challenges and normative views— both within individual clients and among them. We conclude that there is no single ideal model of good decision-making in GAMC and argue that elucidating and jointly deliberating on decisional norms and challenges should be an inherent part of co-constructing good decision-making.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer plans landmark hospice reform billHospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/13/24Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is drafting a landmark bill that, if enacted, would represent the most significant reforms to date for hospice payment and oversight. Blumenauer announced the bill, the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act, on Thursday at the Hospice News Elevate conference in Washington D.C. Though the bill language is still in development, key provisions will likely include a new payment mechanism for high-acuity palliative services, changes to the per-diem payment process and actions to improve quality and combat fraud.

Breaking The Silence: Groundbreaking Guide on Tackling Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Released by NPHI and NO MORENPHI press release; 6/13/24New Guide Equips Caregivers with Life-Saving Information to Spot Abuse and Empowers Them to Protect Elders. In advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) [on June 15, 2024], the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) and NO MORE are proud to announce the release of a new educational resource titled Breaking the Silence, a comprehensive guide that takes a significant step towards tackling domestic violence, elder abuse, and neglect among more vulnerable populations. The guide provides insights into the prevalence and various forms of abuse. It offers steps for identifying signs of abuse, supports healthcare providers in screening and responding to suspected abuse, and includes information on available resources for victims, caregivers, and families. Some of the key takeaways from the guide include:

Executive Personnel Changes - 6/7/24

June is Adult Protection Awareness MonthKREX Grand Junction (CO); by Jessica Livingstone; 6/8/24June is Adult Protection Awareness Month, and Mesa County kicked this month off by tying purple ribbons around their campus to show their support for the victims. WesternSlopeNow talked to HopeWest about the resources they have to protect the community. If you’d like to know more information about HopeWest’s resources, you can call or click here.Publisher's Note: How is your hospice participating in Adult Protection Awareness Month?

Mental distress, depression, drug deaths increasing among older adultsBecker's Behavioral Health; by Rylee Wilson; 6/7/24Rates of mental distress and other behavioral health conditions are on the rise among older adults, according to America’s Health Rankings 2024 Senior Report. The annual report, published by UnitedHealth Group, ranks states on over 50 dimensions of health.

Decatur Fire & Rescue brighten day for man in hospice careWAFF 48 (AL); 6/6/24Decatur Fire & Rescue helped cheer up a man in hospice care on Thursday. Bobby Lacy, 68, is in hospice care due to congestive heart failure. Lacy, whose biggest passions are fire trucks and cowboy boots, also has Down syndrome. Members of Decatur Fire & Rescue made a special visit to Lacy to see one of their fire trucks in person.