Literature Review

Federal scientists conclude there is credible evidence for certain medical uses of marijuanaPolitico, by Natalie Fertig; 1/12/24The Department of Health and Human Services concluded that marijuana is less harmful than other dangerous drugs and that there is some evidence of its medical benefits in recommending loosening federal restrictions on the drug. For the last 60-plus years, cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I drug — the same as heroin — under the Controlled Substances Act, which means it’s a substance of high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Bloomberg first reported in August that HHS had recommended marijuana be moved to Schedule III, and the release of these documents on Friday confirms that.Publisher note: The full FDA report can be found here.

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.  ~Victor Frankl

Engaging forensic psychiatry patients in health-care decision makingThe Lancet - Psychiatry, by Junqiang Zhao, Helen Bolshaw-Walker, N Zoe Hilton; 1/15/24The forensic psychiatric system is a pivotal intersection between the criminal justice and psychiatry systems. When individuals commit criminal acts and are found not criminally responsible for their actions due to mental illness, or unfit to stand trial, they often receive psychiatric care in specialised hospitals or units. The aim of these facilities is not punitive, but restorative—to promote the recovery and successful reintegration of patients into communities.

Chatbot performance in defining and differentiating palliative care, supportive care, hospice careJ Pain Symptom Manage, by Min Ji Kim, Sonal Admane, Yuchieh Kathryn Chang, Kao-Swi Karina Shih, Akhila Reddy, Michael Tang, Maxine De La Cruz, Terry Pham Taylor, Eduardo Bruera, David Hui; 1/24We evaluated the accuracy, comprehensiveness, reliability, and readability of three AI platforms in defining and differentiating "palliative care," "supportive care," and "hospice care." We identified important concerns regarding the accuracy, comprehensiveness, reliability, and readability of outputs from AI platforms.

Early and often: Promoting early integration of pediatric palliative care for seriously ill children with cancerCurr Probl Cancer, by Sara Taub, Robert Macauley; 10/23Pediatric palliative care, despite substantial overlap with its adult counterpart, is also distinct in some ways. Serious illness and comorbidities are less common in children, for whom there is a stronger presumption toward aggressive treatment. This, along with impressive cure rates for pediatric cancer, can help explain why children typically survive for a longer period of time following initial palliative care consultation. ... Several barriers to early integration exist, however, including misperceptions that palliative care constitutes "giving up" and concerns about potential role confusion with the primary team. By directly addressing these misperceptions and challenges, it is possible for palliative care and oncology to work in constructive partnerships that will benefit children with cancer and their families.

Top read articles: Quality versus quantity of life: Beyond the dichotomyPalliative Medicine Reports, by Ariel Dempsey, John Mulder; 3/23A restrictive and dichotomous question has become the primary approach in many goals of care discussions. Is the primary goal of care quantity of life through aggressive therapy or quality of life through comfort care and hospice?Publisher note: While a little dated, this was part of a "top read in 2023" email.

Local author shares a message of hope to caregivers in Newnan Parkinson's support groupThe Newnan Times-Herald, by Gary May; 1/22/24Hughes wrote "Parkinson's Caregivers - Yes, There is HOPE!" about her experiences over 23 years caring for her husband Carlton, who had Parkinson's disease. Her mission is to encourage and support both caregivers and their loved ones as they transition through the stages of the progressive disease, from diagnosis, to daily living, to the advanced stages and finally, to hospice care.

Defining key elements of a clinical experience in hospice and palliative medicine for medical residents in the United StatesJ Med Educ Curric Dev, by Carolyn E. Kezar and Andrew J. Lawton; 1/23/24The ACGME [Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education] has ... recognized the importance of HPM [hospice and palliative medicine] training for medical residents, establishing in its 2022 Common Program Requirements for Internal Medicine a new expectation that all residents have a clinical experience in HPM. ... However, internal residencies vary significantly. ... In this perspective, we draw from the available literature and our experience as educators to propose 5 core elements for creating an optimal HPM experience for medical residents.Editor's Note: Does your hospice support nearby medical schools? Rich opportunities abound.

Mom enters hospice in final days of cancer and releases viral song for 7-year-old sonPeople, by Jordan Greene; 1/25/24Cat Janis shared her final wish – for her song 'Dance You Outta My Head' which she wrote for her 7-year-old son — to go viral. 

Study investigates perceived barriers to cancer care in rural South DakotaMedical Xpress, by Addison Dehaven; 1/24/24... To assess the barriers of cancer care, the research team interviewed 18 health care professionals who work closely with American Indians, frontier and rural populations. Through interviews and analysis, they were able to determine three distinct themes that constitute as barriers and challenges for those with cancer: access, time and isolation.

Death with dignity bill introduced in Virginia with message from ailing congresswomanRadio IQ, by Brad Kutner; 1/23/24Eleven states across the country have dignity in dying laws which allow those facing the end of their lives to take control over their time and manner of their death. It’s a controversial movement but one a Virginia Congresswoman is personally connected to.

Planning ahead for peace of mind: How an advance care conversation educator can help

The nurse who helps dying patients write poetryThe Telegraph (UK News), by Flora Bowen; 1/25/24What will happen to me after I die? Will my family cope? How will I be remembered? These are familiar questions for Rekha Vijayshankar. As a palliative care nurse who is now Marie Curie’s deputy head of quality and clinical governance, she has helped thousands of patients to explore their feelings towards such themes through writing poetry and journal entries together.