Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Palliative Care Provider News.”
Anxiety and resilience in palliative medicine physicians
07/05/24 at 03:00 AMAnxiety and resilience in palliative medicine physicians BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care; by Cristhian Alexis Velásquez Marín, Carlos Javier Avendaño-Vásquez; 7/2/24, online ahead of printTo identify the relationship between the degree of anxiety and the capacity for resilience in palliative care physicians ..., [we] included 42 Colombian Palliative Care Physicians and administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Zung Anxiety Scale and the Resilience Scale. Results: 42 palliative care physicians with an average age of 41 participated in the study. Anxious symptoms were present in 100% of the physicians evaluated. Mild or moderate anxiety was identified in 93.7% of the population and 6.3% of people with severe anxiety symptoms. ... Our results reflect that the population of palliative care physicians has a higher risk and exposure to developing anxiety and its adverse outcomes. We found higher anxiety levels compared with other studies so this population requires greater vigilance and intervention in treating and preventing mental health difficulties.Editor's Note: Executive leaders for palliative care services, use this research to be aware of possible stress-related tolls on your palliative physicians and team members. Ask. Generate dialogue. Do not assume that this applies, but rather use it to tune into and improve the support your physicians need. While this research was in Columbia, it resonates a U.S.recurring trend of the unionization of physicians, often related to burnout and stress overload.
National POLST collaborative announces new Board of Directors and Officers
07/03/24 at 03:00 AMNational POLST collaborative announces new Board of Directors and OfficersLinkedIn post; 6/27/24The National POLST Collaborative, a leader in promoting the understanding and use of POLST – a set of portable medical orders for individuals with serious illness or frailty, is proud to announce the election of its new board of directors and officers. New Board of Directors members to the 12-person Board:
Evaluating palliative care impact: Insights from Tennessee Oncology's OCM participation
07/01/24 at 03:00 AMEvaluating palliative care impact: Insights from Tennessee Oncology's OCM participation The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC); by Mary Caffrey and Pearl Steinzor; 6/27/24 A study finds limited changes in hospice utilization, highlighting challenges in real-world implementation. In an interview at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, Ravi Parikh, MD, MPP, assistant professor of medicine and health policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, discussed the outcomes of a palliative care study at Tennessee Oncology, providing insights into the challenges and limitations of evaluating hospice utilization and quality-of-life improvements in the real-world setting.
Pediatric Palliative Care is essential to person-centered quality care for children with serious illness
07/01/24 at 03:00 AMPediatric Palliative Care is essential to person-centered quality care for children with serious illnessAAHPM Spring Quarterly; by Larry Beresford; 6/27/24It has often been said that children are not little adults and should not be treated as little adults when it comes to their medical care or to the roles played in that care by palliative care and hospice teams. But what should that truism convey to members of AAHPM? How do hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) professionals ensure that children with serious, incurable, or life-threatening illnesses are managed with due consideration of their differences and distinct needs? What do adult palliative care professionals need to know—and contribute to ensuring that these children get the age-appropriate support they need for the duration of their illness?Publisher's Note: Membership may be required to access this article, or perhaps waiting until it is archived.
Garnet Health shutters palliative care program
06/27/24 at 03:00 AMGarnet Health shutters palliative care program Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/25/24 New York state-based Garnet Health has announced a restructuring plan that spells the demise of its inpatient palliative care services. The plan includes layoffs of about 1% of the health system’s workforce, numbering 26 employees. This is estimated to save Garnett $4.6 million in salaries and benefits. “[Garnet] continues to be challenged with significant labor expenses, inflation on supplies and equipment, and low payor reimbursement rates,” the health system indicated in a statement. The restructuring is the result of financial headwinds, including decreased demand. Patient volumes are gradually increasing, but not yet to pre-pandemic levels, the company stated in an announcement.
Improving advanced care planning for late-stage cancer
06/26/24 at 03:00 AMImproving advanced care planning for late-stage cancer Medical Xpress; by Melissa Rohman; 6/24/24 Multilevel care interventions improved clinician–documented advanced care planning (ACP) compared with a clinician-level intervention alone for patients with genitourinary cancer, according to findings published in JAMA Oncology. "Clinicians often have limited time to assist patients in fully understanding ACP. This intervention is one approach to improve ACP and care delivery among patients with advanced stages of genitourinary cancer," said Gladys M. Rodriguez, MD, MS, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology and lead author of the study. For patients diagnosed with late-stage cancer, ACP can help reduce unnecessary acute care, increase palliative care and improve quality of life. However, previous reports have found that less than 20% of patients will engage in ACP with their health care providers. ... The primary outcome was ACP documentation in the electronic health record by the patient's oncology clinician within 12 months. Secondary outcomes included shared decision-making, palliative care use, hospice use, emergency department visits and hospitalizations within 12 months.
The opportunity for palliative care in ACO Flex
06/25/24 at 03:00 AMThe opportunity for palliative care in ACO Flex Palliative Care NEws; by Audrie Martin; 6/24/24 On Jan. 1, 2025, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center will begin implementing a payment model for primary care known as the Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) Primary Care Flex Model under the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). The ACO Flex Model is a voluntary initiative to improve funding and other resources to support primary care delivery within the MSSP. The model encourages the formation of new, physician-led ACOs, particularly those serving underserved communities and addressing health disparities. This program is not just a test but also seeks to empower participating ACOs and their primary care providers to employ more innovative, team-based, person-centered and proactive approaches to care. [Click on the title's link for more information.]
Mercy Medical Center unveils Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit
06/21/24 at 03:00 AMMercy Medical Center unveils Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit WWLP 22 News, Springfield, MA; 6/18/24 Springfield city officials joined Mercy Medical Center for a tour of the upcoming Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit. Patients who are severely sick or coming to their last days will now have another space to get the care that they need. The work for the Andy Yee Memorial Palliative Care Unit is underway at Mercy Medical Center. This new space on the 5th floor of the facility will help to enhance patient care. ... In the next phase comes the renovation and remodeling of eight patient rooms. This new unit will help Mercy Medical providers care for about 300 patients a year.
Top oncologists say everyone with advanced cancer needs early palliative care. Here are 6 things to know
06/21/24 at 02:00 AMTop oncologists say everyone with advanced cancer needs early palliative care. Here are 6 things to know ABC News, New York; by Lindsey Ulin, MD; 6/20/24This year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology — the world’s leading oncology organization — recommended palliative care for everyone with advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis and while receiving treatment. ... By next year, 693,000 people in the United States will have advanced breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, bladder, or skin cancer. ... “What I’m really excited to see is that these guidelines are taking a step back and thinking about [palliative care] from the time of diagnosis,” Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer for the American Cancer Society and an associate professor at Duke University specializing in oncology and palliative care, told ABC News. “It should particularly be used in areas to help people stay on treatment, such as in clinical trials or hematologic malignancies.” Here are six things to know about palliative care:
Palliative care nurses share precious lessons learnt after decades working with the dying
06/19/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care nurses share precious lessons learnt after decades working with the dying News.com.au [Australia]; by Jessica Wang; 6/16/24 After taking care of terminal patients who are facing death for 35 years, Sydney nurse Cindy Grundy has learnt a lesson or two about living. Her most cherished is to “guard your time” and treat it like the invaluable commodity that it is, says the palliative care nurse, who works in an inner-city public hospital. “To me, time is everything. It’s so precious,” the 59-year-old said. “You need to learn how to prioritise things and let go of the things that don’t matter. I appreciate the smaller things in life from working in this job but time is a big thing for me.” ... At the heart of what she does, and other palliative care nurses do, is make sure patients can get the most out of the last few hours, days, weeks or months of life – whether that’s through managing their symptoms or fulfilling their last wishes. “They’re dying but they’re still alive and that’s a chance for laughter, love and new experiences,” says fellow Sydney-based nurse Steven Turk.
Center for Hospice Care launches ‘Kaleidoscope’ Palliative Care Program
06/19/24 at 03:00 AMCenter for Hospice Care launches ‘Kaleidoscope’ Palliative Care Program Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 6/17/24 The Indiana-based Center for Hospice Care (CHC) has unveiled a new palliative care program, branded as Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope is designed to provide patients with interdisciplinary palliative care in the home setting. Their care model includes services from nurse practitioners, palliative care nurses, community health workers, spiritual care providers and volunteers. The nonprofit also provides palliative care in a clinic setting at its Center for Palliative Care. “Kaleidoscope is a community-based palliative care program where we’re seeing patients in the privacy of their own home,” CHC Medical Director Karissa Misner told local news. “We also still have palliative care in a clinic setting. Now we’re able to offer two different entities for people that still want to go out to a doctor’s appointment.”
Misconceptions about palliative care still abound, two experts assert
06/18/24 at 03:00 AMMisconceptions about palliative care still abound, two experts assertMcKnight's Home Care; by Liza Berger, Brynn Bowman, Allison Silvers; 6/12/24[Podcast] While awareness has grown, a sound understanding of palliative care — specialized medical care for people living with serious illnesses — still lacks among the general public and among physicians and other healthcare professionals. The misconceptions present a barrier to its wider use, according to Brynn Bowman, CEO, and Allison Silvers, chief healthcare transformation officer, of the Center to Advance Palliative Care, who spoke to McKnight’s Home Care in a Newsmakers podcast. Among the many myths is that palliative care is not paid for; it is a service under Medicare Part B, they clarified.
Integrating palliative care education into hematology-oncology fellowships
06/14/24 at 03:00 AMIntegrating palliative care education into hematology-oncology fellowshipsThe ASCO Post; 6/11/2024An integrated palliative care rotation for hematology-oncology fellows may improve their palliative care knowledge and skill confidence, according to findings presented by Bauman et al at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting (Abstract 9007). “Despite national guidelines advocating that patients with advanced cancer receive dedicated palliative care services, many patients lack access to specialty palliative care due to workforce shortages,” stressed lead study author Jessica Bauman, MD, Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology, Chief of the Division of Head and Neck Medical Oncology, and Director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Training Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center. “Training hematology-oncologists to provide primary palliative care could close this gap and ensure [the] basic palliative care needs of patients are met,” she highlighted.
Key factors for establishing and sustaining a successful palliative radiation oncology program: a survey of the Society for Palliative Radiation Oncology
06/13/24 at 03:00 AMKey factors for establishing and sustaining a successful palliative radiation oncology program: a survey of the Society for Palliative Radiation Oncology Annals of Palliative Medicine; by Deborah C Marshall, Kavita Dharmarajan, Randy Wei, Yolanda D Tseng, Jessica Schuster, Joshua A Jones, Candice Johnstone, Tracy Balboni, Simon S Lo, Jared R Robbins [Palliative Radiation Oncology Programs] PROPS are not widespread, exist mainly within academic centers, are outpatient, have access to palliative care specialists by referral, and have specialized clinical processes for palliative radiation patients. Lack of committed resources was the single most important perceived barrier for initiating or maintaining a PROP. Best practice guidelines, educational resources, access to palliative care specialists and standardized pathways are most important for those who wish to develop a PROP. These insights can inform discussions and help align resources to develop, grow, and maintain a successful PROP.
Palliative care considerations in frail older adults
06/13/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care considerations in frail older adults Annals of Palliative Medicine; by Andrew E Russell, Rachel Denny, Pearl G Lee, Marcos L Montagnini; 6/6/24, online ahead of print...This paper aims to guide clinicians in providing patientcentered care for older adults with frailty in the outpatient setting. Through a comprehensive literature review, we describe the leading models of frailty, frailty screening tools used in the clinical setting, and the assessment and management of palliative care needs in frail patients. We also describe emerging models of care focusing on palliative care for older adults with frailty and discuss issues related to access to palliative care for this population.
Palliative care in the intensive care unit: The standard of care
06/10/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care in the intensive care unit: The standard of care AACN - American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; by Clareen Wiencek, PhD, RN, ACNP, FAAN; 6/7/24Intensive care unit–based palliative care has evolved over the past 30 years due to the efforts of clinicians, researchers, and advocates for patient-centered care. ... This article provides an overview of the current state of intensive care unit–based palliative care, examines how the barriers to such care have shifted, reviews primary and specialist palliative care, addresses the impact of COVID-19, and presents resources to help nurses and intensive care unit teams achieve optimal outcomes. [Access to the full article requires subscription or purchase of the individual article.]
Disparities identified in palliative care use among men with prostate cancer
06/07/24 at 03:00 AMDisparities identified in palliative care use among men with prostate cancerRenal + Urology News; by Natasha Persaud; 6/4/24Palliative care utilization among men with prostate cancer is suboptimal but improving, investigators reported at the 2024 ASCO annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Stanley Ozogbo, MBBS, MPH, of St Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital in Ohio, and colleagues studied over 2 million prostate cancer hospital admissions using the 2010-2019 US Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The found an overall prevalence of palliative utilization of 5.3% even though palliative care consultations significantly improved by an average of 7.7% per year over the study period. Utilization improved from 2010 through 2016, but then began to decline from 2017-2019. The study identified disparities in palliative utilization. Black patients were 7% less likely than White patients to receive palliative care services, Dr Ozogbo’s team reported. Compared with Medicare recipients, patients with Medicaid, private insurance, or other insurance types had significant 1.5-, 1.3-, and 2.2-fold increased odds of palliative care utilization, respectively. Patients aged 70 years or older were a significant 6% more likely to receive palliative care compared with younger patients. Palliative care use was a significant 9% and 40% more likely for patients admitted to urban vs rural hospitals and teaching vs non-teaching hospitals, respectively, the investigators reported. Hospitals in the Northeast were 1.4- and 1.5-fold more likely to refer to palliative care compared with hospitals in the South or West, respectively.
Telehealth delivers early palliative care as effectively as in-person care
06/04/24 at 03:00 AMTelehealth delivers early palliative care as effectively as in-person careAJMC, American Society of Clinical Oncology; by Laura Joszt, MA; 6/2/24 Early palliative care can be delivered via telehealth with equivalent quality-of-life effects as palliative care delivered in person to patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to late-breaking results presented during [a] plenary session at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. Whether the palliative care was delivered in person or via telehealth, the most common topics discussed during the visit were similar and included building and establishing rapport to create a relationship with the patient and their family, identifying symptoms and grading symptom management, and coping with serious illness, explained Joseph Greer, PhD, codirector of the Cancer Outcomes Research & Education Program at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and associate professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School ...
Palliative care for cancer patients is found to be as effective given virtually as in person
06/03/24 at 03:00 AMPalliative care for cancer patients is found to be as effective given virtually as in personSTAT; by Angus Chen; 6/2/24Comfort can be delivered to patients with advanced cancer virtually just as well as in person, according to a new study presented on Sunday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago. That’s welcome news to palliative care experts who have, in many cases, preferred the convenience and efficacy of telehealth sessions for both themselves and their patients since the Covid-19 pandemic forced virtual visits. ... Palliative care experts are also looking at other ways to help more patients get seen. In another abstract presented at ASCO in Chicago and published in JAMA by MGH’s Temel, she showed the frequency of palliative care visits could be stepped down for patients with fewer physical or emotional symptoms — also without any loss in palliative care efficacy.
State Palliative Care Advisory Councils are advancing serious illness care
06/03/24 at 03:00 AMState Palliative Care Advisory Councils are advancing serious illness care National Academy for State Health Policy; by Ella Taggart; 5/30/24 Twenty-four states have a palliative care advisory council, coalition, or task force created through state legislation or regulation to guide work to support and expand care for those with serious illness. We talked to leaders of active and longstanding councils in Maine, Maryland, and Texas to learn about their creation, impact, and lessons learned for states looking to do the same. ... Learn more about the states that have councils, including their establishment and activity, on NASHP’s Palliative Care Advisory Task Forces Tracker [link provided with the source article].
Sixth annual Run, Walk n Roll 5K continues mission [more than $110k]
05/31/24 at 03:00 AMSixth annual Run, Walk n Roll 5K continues mission [more than $110,000] Grosse Pointe News; by GPN Staff; 5/29/24 Providing funding for pediatric palliative care is the goal of the sixth annual Run, Walk n Roll 5K. ... [This] year's event is virtual, so participants can run, walk or roll from anywhere throught the month of June. ... Since its inception, the event has raised nearly $600,000 for the palliative care program at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. This year's event already has more than 70 sponsors, more than $110,000 raised and participants on six continents and across the U.S.
New study finds underutilization of early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer mostly attributable to provider and organizational characteristics
05/31/24 at 03:00 AMNew study finds underutilization of early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer mostly attributable to provider and organizational characteristics American Cancer Society; 5/28/24 A new study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows despite considerable growth in early palliative care (PC) use, utilization among patients with advanced cancer remained low from 2010 to 2019. ... Early integration of palliative care is recommended for advanced-stage cancers, but evidence of its use and the role of provider and organizational characteristics in its uptake is limited. ... Early PC was defined as receipt of PC within 90 days post-diagnosis and before hospice admission, if any. ... Study authors stress the large variation between providers and organizations suggest important modifiable provider behaviors and organizational characteristics in early PC receipt, ...
How palliative care is changing in today’s health care environment
05/30/24 at 03:00 AMHow palliative care is changing in today’s health care environment Hospice News; by Molly Bookner; 5/29/24 As the palliative care field continues to grow and transform, understanding the current trends, outlook, relevant challenges and necessary skills for future leaders is critical. Two significant trends impacting the field of palliative care currently, according to experts, are the expansion of services and the integration of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Vicki Jackson, board president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), noted that palliative care has demonstrated a positive impact on patient-reported outcomes across various illnesses, including cancer, heart, liver, kidney disease and dementia.
Stoneridge Hospice expands services with launch of palliative care branch in Scottsdale, Arizona
05/29/24 at 03:00 AMStoneridge Hospice expands services with launch of palliative care branch in Scottsdale, Arizona KNWA Fox24; by EIN Presswire; 5/26/24Stoneridge Hospice ... is proud to announce the establishment of its newest branch offering palliative care services in Scottsdale, Arizona. ... This new agency will offer a range of palliative care services, including pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, coordination of care, and assistance with advanced care planning.
Disparities in palliative care use for patients with blood cancer who died in the hospital
05/29/24 at 03:00 AMDisparities in palliative care use for patients with blood cancer who died in the hospital The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Tien-Chan Hsieh, Yee Hui Yeo, Guangchen Zou, Chan Zhou, Arlene Ash; 5/27/24 online ahead of printBackground: Palliative care can enhance quality of life during a terminal hospitalization. Despite advances in diagnostic and treatment tools, blood cancers lag behind solid malignancies in palliative use. It is not clear what factors affect palliative care use in blood cancer. Conclusions: This study highlights disparities in palliative care use among blood-cancer patients who died in the hospital. It seems likely that many of the 46% who did not receive palliative care could have benefitted from it. Interventions are likely needed to achieve equitable access to ideal levels of palliative care services in late-stage blood cancer.