Literature Review

5 DEI expectations organizations should have of all leaders Forbes; by Julie Kratz; 8/18/24 Without leadership support, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts do not work. ... For organizations wrestling with holding leaders accountable for DEI, consider these questions: 

Cognitive impairment in the workplace Alzheimer's Association; email 8/14/24, webpage posted 8/8/24 Due to the aging of the U.S. population, rates of cognitive impairment and dementia in the workplace are on the rise. This creates challenges for employers, many of whom may not know how to best support employees who are experiencing symptoms of cognitive impairment. Conversely, employees may be hesitant to share with their employer the challenges that they’re experiencing. ... Recommendations Regarding Dementia in the Workplace ... [Click on the title's link for this excellent HR information.]

4 ways health systems combat burnout Becker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 8/13/24 Although burnout is down among healthcare professionals, its persistence still garners attention and solutions from systems. Physician burnout fell from 53% in 2022 to 48.2% in 2023, according to a July 2024 report by the American Medical Association. ... Here are four methods four hospitals and health systems are using to address workforce burnout.

Giving feedback can be daunting for new leaders — here’s how to provide it thoughtfully The Conversation; by Tracy Walsh; 8/11/24 Giving performance feedback at work can be a stressful experience, especially for new leaders and their employees. It often evokes feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and defensiveness. ... Yet, feedback has never been more important. ... When feedback is delivered thoughtfully and perceived as constructive by employees, it can bridge the gap between potential and performance and provide clarity in times of uncertainty. ... [It] includes recognizing achievements, fostering professional development and building trust with employees. ... It’s equally important for leaders to seek and receive feedback from their employees. Embracing feedback enhances adaptability by providing leaders with real-time insights into what’s working and what’s not, allowing them to make necessary adjustments. [Click on the title's link for descriptions and guides.]

Healthcare added 1 million workers since 2020: 5 things to know Becker's Hospital Review; by Molly Gamble; 8/12/24 Healthcare faces numerous workforce challenges, but the industry has steadily added jobs after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted staffing. An Altarum analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data finds a dual reality for healthcare: The industry has added more than 1 million workers since March 2020 and, at the same time, thousands more healthcare jobs remain unfilled as demand for workers continues to far exceed the supply. Here are five takeaways from Altarum's jobs analysis, which includes breakdowns of the sectors that led employment recovery:

Valley Health, Blue Ridge hospice collaborate to expand care in Luray WHSV 3, Luray, VA; by Michael Russo; 8/1/24 Health systems in the Valley are joining together to expand their offerings for hospice care. Page Memorial Hospital in Luray will benefit from the collaboration between Valley Health and Blue Ridge Hospice and the pair’s Hospice in the Hospital Program. Valley Health and Blue Ridge Hospice signed an agreement July 15 to allow BRH’s staff to work with Valley Health’s team to provide “supplemental comfort care services” to ensure patients receive comprehensive care throughout and following their stay in the hospital. 

Becoming time rich with physician moms: Sarah Wittry and Nicole Perrotte MarketScale - Ripple of Change; by Todd Otten; 7/30/24 In today’s high-stress healthcare environment, physician mothers face the formidable challenge of balancing demanding careers with their personal lives. The conversation on work-life balance is more relevant than ever, with more women in medicine seeking ways to manage these dual responsibilities effectively. How can physician moms navigate this landscape to reclaim time for themselves without guilt? What strategies can physician moms employ to achieve a healthier work-life balance? This pressing question lies at the heart of today’s discussion on the Ripple of Change podcast. ... Key points of discussion:

Amid trauma and burnout, it ‘takes courage’ to reflect on mental, emotional well-being Healio; by Jennifer Byrne; 7/31/24 ... [William E. Rosa, PhD, MBE, MS] began to realize that in the stressful, devastating situations he and his colleagues faced daily, there was much to be learned from the principles of trauma-informed care. ... “This is the idea that cultivating an awareness can prevent us from re-traumatizing ourselves and others,” he said. “I think it starts with reflecting on — and telling the truth about — our mental and emotional well-being. That takes courage.” In acknowledging the emotional scars, brokenness and vulnerability that comes from tragedy and loss, individuals can begin to heal a lifetime of stored and unresolved trauma, Rosa said. “As a workforce, you and I see unacceptable rates of suicide, burnout, moral distress and attrition,” he said. “It’s time that we come to safe and supported terms with our trauma — not just as individuals, but as a collective, not only for the patients and families we serve, but for us to survive.”Editor's Note: In this article, Dr. Rosa identified "the emotional impact of taking yet another patient off the ventilator at the end of life." Recent articles we've posted in this newsletter about trauma-informed care been in our "Top Reads." While those articles focused on trauma-informed care of the persons you serve, this focuses on the persons who serve, your all-important direct patient care clinicians.

Real vs. fake news: Myths vs. facts about hospice care The Journal; by Danielle Ruble, Chief Clinical Officer of Hospice of the Panhandle and Panhandle Palliative Services; 7/28/24 Writing an article naturally causes me to pause and reflect not only on my time working in the hospice realm, but also my “why.” Why was I originally drawn to this field of nursing, and why do I stay? My “why” is simple – mission-driven care. More specifically – mission-driven care centered around patient choice. Yes, it’s true, no one chooses to be terminally ill, but the type of care available is a choice. ... According to the Oxford Dictionary, a myth is a “widely held but false belief or idea” and hospice care is often associated with myths and misconceptions. Here are five myths that we frequently hear.

Hospices strategize sustainable growth for Veteran Programs Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 7/26/24 Hospices combat both operational and financial challenges as they seek to grow and evolve their veteran programs around the diverse and complex needs of patients and their families. Some of the largest expenses associated with offering veteran services include staffing and training costs ... In addition to staff training, this includes having ways to honor veterans for their service, assess the social determinant of health resources they may need and identify gaps of caregiver support. ...Editor's Note: Notable mentions include Carlos Graveran, executive director at Maryland-based Frederick Health Hospice; Sherri Bickley, vice president of patient support services at Oklahoma-based Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care; and Carla Creegan, PACE director of clinical services and director of adult day swervices at Empath Health.

How home-based care’s leaders foster a multi-generational workforce Home Health Care News; by Joyce Famakinwa; 7/23/24 In order for the home-based care space to benefit from the demographic tailwinds coming its way, it needs to embrace emerging leaders who are bringing in fresh ideas. VNS Health, Andwell Health Partners and UVA Continuum Home Health are just a few of the companies that are throwing their support behind the next generation of leaders. ... Formerly Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice, Andwell is a nonprofit operator that offers home health, hospice, palliative, behavioral health and pediatric care services. The company employs over 500 workers across all 16 counties in Maine. Along with cultivating the next crop of leaders, companies are figuring out how best to work with a multi-generational workforce.

Hospital CEOs solve an old problem with new ideas Becker's Hospital Review; by Laura Dyrda; 7/15/24 A persistent problem for health system CEOs is emerging as the most important challenge to solve this year: work/life balance. Work/life balance isn't just a "nice to have" as a "thank you" to clinicians who spent thousands of extra hours during the pandemic in a stressful workplace; it's a business imperative. And many organizations haven't invested in it enough. [Click on the title's link to continue reading identification of problems and new solutions by multiple helath system CEOs.]

These are the most common jobs in each state in the US USA Today; by Sara Chernikoff; 7/22/24 The most common job in the U.S. is a three-way tie, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Home health care and personal aides, retail workers and fast food counter workers ranked at the top of the list with 3.6 million workers in each occupation. ... The desire for home health and personal care aides is on the rise as the share of the elderly U.S. population grows exponentially. This occupation is the fastest growing among most states, news outlet Stacker, reported. ... Home health care aides typically assist people living with disabilities or with chronic illness. Personal care aides are often hired to care for people in hospice care, according to BLS. Advanced degrees are not required for most home health aides, rather those employed by home health or hospice agencies may need to complete formal training or pass a standardized test.Editor's Note: Federal requirements for nursing aides in hospice care are defined in the CMS Hospice of Conditions Participation §418.76 and for home health in the CMS Home Health Conditions of Participation §484.80. Additionally, extensive state laws exist, with differences between states.