Literature Review

Goals of care discussions in medical training: Integrating palliative care for holistic, patient-centered careHealthcare; by Celine Rochon, Farzana Hoque; 5/26Goals of care discussions are essential communication skills in medical training that bridge patient values with clinical decision-making. Integrating palliative care principles into these conversations enables holistic, patient-centered care, yet medical trainees often lack structured preparation for these critical interactions. Integrating palliative care principles into medical training for goals of care discussions is essential for developing patient-centered clinicians. Combining structured communication frameworks, interprofessional education, targeted skills training, and technological support creates a comprehensive educational approach that prepares trainees to elicit patient goals, create individualized care plans, and deliver holistic care that honors patient values.

[Portugal] Reiki and Therapeutic Touch for symptom burden and quality of life in palliative settings: A systematic reviewPalliative Medicine; by Raquel Pontes-Gomes, Paulo Reis-Pina; 5/26Evidence regarding Reiki and Therapeutic Touch in palliative and end-of-life care remains limited and heterogeneous. Nine studies involving 415 participants were included: five mixed-methods studies, three randomized controlled trials, and one qualitative cross-sectional study conducted in North America (n = 6) and Europe (n = 3). Cancer was the predominant diagnosis.  Some studies reported improvements in symptoms (pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and stress), and in quality-of-life domains (sleep, relaxation, energy, hope, and emotional well-being). Qualitative findings described perceived relaxation, comfort, and emotional support. Further well-designed studies are needed to clarify their potential role in palliative care.

Hold on to what is good. Even if it’s a handful of earth. Hold on to what you must do. Even if it’s a long way from here. Hold on to your life. Even if it’s easier to let go. Hold on to my hand. Even if someday I’ll be gone away from you. ~ Chief Crowfoot, Siksika/Blackfeet, 1830-1890

1776-1786: 250 Years - A History of CareHospice & Palliative Care Today; by Joy Berger; for 6/10/26Continental Congress, Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Palliative care utilization, advance care planning, and outcomes among older adults with cancer presenting to the emergency department Academic Emergency Medicine; by Meredith Janes, Nancy Wood, Emily Strong, Lisa Smith, Eric Snyder, Sule Yilmaz; 6/17/26 Conclusions: Older adults with cancer presenting to the emergency department (ED) experience high rates of hospitalization, intensive care use, and short-term mortality, yet palliative care remains underutilized. Although advanced care planning (ACP) documentation increased during acute care encounters, these changes often occur with clinical deterioration. The ED offers an opportunity to identify unmet palliative care needs and facilitate earlier integration. 

CMS proposed rule locks in lower prices and fosters innovation for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program CMS.gov; Press Release; 6/12/26 A new proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would establish a permanent framework for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (“Negotiation Program”), creating a more transparent and sustainable process for lowering drug costs for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. The proposed rule would also create greater long-term certainty for drug manufacturers that participate in negotiations. It includes policies for negotiating and renegotiating high-cost, single-source drugs beginning with initial price applicability year 2029, while continuing to support innovation and strengthen the program.

Heritage Home Health Care, Legacy Hospice, Advanced Home Health and Hospice form Ohio joint venture Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/18/26 Three Ohio-based home health and hospice providers have launched a joint venture branded as Heritage Home Health and Hospice. The JV — involving Heritage Home Health Care, Legacy Hospice and Advanced Home Health and Hospice — is designed to provide home health and hospice services across the Buckeye State, as well as the Erie, Pennsylvania, region. The legacy organizations will continue to operate as they have been. The JV promises a “deeper understanding of clinical resources,” modernized technology, expanded back-office support and an improved operational infrastructure, a statement from Advanced Home Health and Hospice indicated.

CMS recalculates MA star ratings payments in wake of Clover lawsuit Becker's Payer Issues; by Elizabeth Casolo; 6/18/26 CMS is “voluntarily recalculating” 2027 Medicare Advantage quality bonus payment ratings, based on 2026 star ratings, following Clover Health’s successful challenge of the agency’s measures. CMS sent a letter informing health plans June 17. In its reevaluation, CMS will only change a rating if a contract receives a higher quality bonus payment rating than before. The agency removed all Part D and some Part C measures in its review: special needs plan care management, health plan complaints, members choosing to leave, timely appeals decisions, appeals decision reviews, and call center availability of foreign language interpreters and teletypewriters.

When the right end-of-life care is hardest to access MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Denise Mohess, MD; 6/17/26 The cost of health care in America is extraordinarily high, too often funding the wrong type of care. As a geriatric medicine and palliative care physician, I sit with patients and families making end-of-life decisions, weighing life-prolonging measures, optimizing quality of life, defining what matters most to them. Recently, a 100-year-old man with severe dementia, limited mobility, hearing impairment, requiring assistance for his daily needs, was admitted to the hospital with worsening weakness. ... At a time when care should have eased suffering, the system instead added to it, as the care that best honored his wishes was the hardest to access.

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I think everyone, once in his life, should be given a ticker-tape parade. ~ Gene Kranz

HOPE Tool transition fraught with challenges, may be better than past federal initiatives  Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 2/17/26 Implementation of the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool has gone smoothly for some providers, but challenges persist. Some stakeholders also say that this new system doesn’t capture the full scope of hospice quality. At VITAS Healthcare, a subsidiary of Chemed Corp. (NYSE: CHE), the transition to HOPE has gone well compared to past federal initiatives, according to CEO Joel Wherley. However, the ultimate results remain uncertain.