Literature Review

Patient and caregiver satisfaction of a palliative care chronic diseases clinic during COVID lockdowns Chronic Illness; by Xiang Rong Sim, Jade Hudson, Catriona Parker, Fiona Runacres, Peter Poon; 3/20/24, online ahead of print Objectives: To assess the quality assurance of a specialist palliative care clinic focused on chronic diseases and explore the satisfaction and acceptability of the telemedicine model amongst patients and caregivers.Results: ... the most common primary diagnosis was renal failure. Participants rated telemedicine as easier to access than face-to-face appointments due to convenience. Telemedicine was rated highly for future utility, with video consultations being perceived as more useful than telephone consultations. Participants responded overwhelmingly well towards the clinic.

Give generative AI another decade to revolutionize healthcare Modern Healthcare - Opinion, by Keith Figoli; 3/15/24... Generative artificial intelligence is poised to transform healthcare by enabling solutions to effectively address [common patient care] challenges. This cutting-edge technology opens new avenues for innovation in diagnosis, treatment planning, operations efficiency and overall healthcare delivery–and industry leaders are taking notice. A recent survey revealed that 25% of healthcare organizations implemented a generative AI solution in 2023, while 58% plan to adopt one this year. However, the generative AI-driven transformation won’t – and shouldn’t – happen overnight.

Fitch: Scrutiny of private equity deals is short-term positive Modern Healthcare, by Hayley Desilva; 3/18/24 Increased federal scrutiny of healthcare mergers and acquisitions is expected to have mixed consequences for providers' credit, particularly when private equity buyers are involved, according to Fitch Ratings. ... In December, the [Federal Trade Commission] FTC updated its merger guidelines to foster competition across all industries, including healthcare. However, healthcare acquisitions are expected to increase this year as financial conditions improve.

Music Therapy intervention to reduce symptom burden in hospice patients: A descriptive study American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Madison H Estell, Kevin J Whitford, Angela M Ulrich, Brianna E Larsen, Christina Wood, Maureen L Bigelow, Travis J Dockter, Kimberly L Schoonover, Amy J Stelpflug, Jacob J Strand, Monica P Walton, Maria I Lapid; 3/19/24 online ahead of printResults: Patients reported a reduction in symptom severity and emotional distress and an increase in QOL. All patients endorsed satisfaction with music therapy, describing it as particularly beneficial for stress relief, relaxation, spiritual support, emotional support, and well-being. Scores on overall QOL and stress were worse for caregivers. 

Hearing with Health and Human Services Secretary BecerraHouse Ways and Means CommitteePublisher's note: CA Representatives Steel (@ 4:01) and Van Duyne (@ 4:14) ask pointed questions of Secretary Becerra regarding hospice fraud, particuarly focused on Southern California. Thanks to Sheila Clark, California Hospice & Palliative Care Association, for sharing this link.

How the analytics of care can balance workforce capacity MedCity News, by Derek Streat; 3/19/24 U.S. healthcare is experiencing a supply and demand crisis as it races to keep pace with an aging population amidst a workforce shortage and mounting financial pressures. And the situation appears unlikely to improve anytime soon. In fact, recent projections anticipate a shortfall of 139,000 physicians in the next decade, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. One limiting factor preventing the efficient management of workforce resources is a lack of data interoperability. ...

Nurses practicing primarily in care homes ‘improve end-of-life care’ Nursing Times, by Steve Ford; 3/19/24 Nurses and other clinicians who specialise in working in care homes represent an important resource when it comes to improving the quality of end-of-life care for residents, a large US study suggests. Researchers found nurse practitioners working mostly in care homes may decrease the likelihood of residents experiencing stressful hospital admissions and improve the quality of life in their last days. 

Home-focused PACE model continues to gain traction across US Home Health Care News, by Joyce Famakinwa; 3/19/24 A Georgia House Bill that would create a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) was passed by the state senate earlier this month. House Bill 1078 passed in a 49 to 1 senate vote.Specifically, the bill creates a new adult day center licensure exclusion in order to authorize the Department of Community Health to establish and implement PACE in Georgia as part of the state’s medical assistance program. The Department of Community Health would manage the program. 

Private equity-backed consolidation divides physicians Modern Healthcare, by Alex Kacik; 3/18/24 ... Fewer physicians — only 46.7% in 2022 compared with 60.1% in 2012 — work in practices wholly owned by doctors amid struggles to manage reimbursement cuts, regulation and rising expenses. As a result, more physicians are joining health systems, private equity-backed management services organizations and insurers. That trend has spurred research, lobbying groups, regulation and legislation on physician employment models. 

Aging Media Network, a WTWH media company, announces 2024 Aspect Awards WinnersSkilled Nursing News, by Jessica Longly; 3/18/24 Aging Media Network, a WTWH Media company, is proud to announce the 2024 Aspect Awards winners. With more than 60 submissions across the categories of Behavioral Health, Home Health & Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care, Senior Housing & Senior Living, and Skilled Nursing (SNF), the focus on innovation and creativity is sharper than ever before. [Click on the title's link for the full list. Of note for this newsletter's readers:]

Health care utilization and opioid use in patients receiving an integrated palliative care intervention for treatment of head and neck cancer compared to a historical control Elsevier, International Journal of Radiation; by F. Rizwan. C. D'Avella, M. Albert, T. King, B. Egleston, T.J. Galloway, M. Chwistek, C. Fang, A. El-jawahri, J.R. Bauman; online access for 4/1/24 release Patients receiving chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) can develop significant symptomology (odynophagia, malnutrition) resulting in frequent hospitalizations and decreased quality of life (QOL) and continue to have chronic symptoms such as dysphagia and/or pain. The integration of a palliative care (PC) team during CRT has the potential to address the high symptom burden and improve QOL.

Where states stand on medical marijuana in the workplace JD Supra, by Madalyn Cohee; 3/18/24 A federal judge in Vermont last month ruled a plaintiff’s medical marijuana use was not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In Skoric v. Marble Valley Regional Transit District et al., the plaintiff was fired by his employer for failing a random drug test by testing positive for marijuana despite having a valid, state-issued medical marijuana card and being prescribed medical marijuana to treat his chronic pain and depression.