Literature Review

Terror and LGBTQIA+ identity: Thoughts on Dr. Candrian’s Newsweek reflection Anschutz Medical School (Univ of Colorado); by Melissa C Palmer, JD LCSW ACHP-SW APHSW-C; 4/23/24 ... When reflecting on the intersection of LGBTQIA+ culture, being a woman, and the medical community, I have experienced gaslighting and marginalization because of my own identity. Things have changed a little in the past years, particularly in younger generations where sexuality and gender identity are more fluid and accepted. But in healthcare, unconscious bias due to the indoctrination by our elders can cause patients identifying as LGBTQIA+ to receive disparate care. ... Editor's Note: 

Eagle Telemedicine announces solution to counter lack of palliative careCision, PRNewswire-PRWeb; by Eagle Telemedicine; 4/25/24 Eagle Telemedicine adds new specialty to increase access to life-saving palliative care in underserved communities. ... Only 71% of U.S. hospitals provide palliative care and metropolitan hospitals are 15% more likely to offer palliative care than rural hospitals (National Institute of Health). Through Eagle's Tele-Palliative Care, hospitals everywhere can offer this next level of care, any day of the year.

Leadership's perceptions of palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, by Tamara Vesel, Audrey Covaleski, Veronica Burkarth, Emma Ernst, Linda Vesel; 4/19/24Background: This study aimed to explore the perceptions, understanding, and utilization of palliative care before compared to during the COVID-19 pandemic among health system leadership. Results: ... Emerging themes included the role of palliative care before compared to during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitators and barriers to palliative care delivery, and recommendations for future practice. Participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic increased palliative care utilization, reinforced positive perceptions of the specialty, and emphasized its role in maximizing healthcare efficiency. Many participants found palliative care financing to be a barrier to delivery; ... 

Being seen as a unique person is essential in palliative care at home and nursing homes: A qualitative study with patients and relativesAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Katrin Kochems, MSc, Everlien de Graaf, RN, PhD, Ginette M. Hesselmann, RN, MSc, and Saskia C. C. M. Teunissen, RN, PhD; 4/6/24Conclusion: In both primary care and nursing home care, patients and relatives expressed the same essential elements of palliative care. They emphasized the importance of being recognized as a unique person beyond their patient status, receiving honest and clear information aligned with their preferences, and having care organized to ensure continuity. Adequate competence and skills are needed, together with a care organization that enables continuity to provide safe and person-centered care.

Fairhope Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. buys building to expand services Perry County Tribune; 4/17/24 FairhopeHospice & Palliative Care, Inc. [Lancaster, OH] announced Monday that it has purchased a building at 1319 E. Main St., Lancaster. The building will allow Fairhope to expand its palliative care services by opening a clinic specifically designed for palliative patients. ... Currently, Fairhope serves 300 palliative care patients.

In two states, transforming the model for palliative care [CA & HI]Undark, by Meredith Lidard Kleeman; 4/16/24 "Being ill is like a full-time job,” said Andrew E. Kaufman, a 60-year-old author. Kaufman lives with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease, as well as other chronic conditions, and his self-care requires a lot of time — and communication. The cascade of his own needs “is frustrating and causes anxiety and a whole host of issues.” Lucky for Kaufman, he lives in California, where he has help from a palliative care team. California is one of the first states in the country to require insurance companies that administer Medicaid benefits to fully cover palliative care services for eligible residents. Editor's Note: Click on the title's link to read more, as this use redefines "palliative care."

Medicaid expansion and palliative care for advanced-stage liver cancer Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery; by Henrique A Lima, Parit Mavani, Muhammad Musaab Munir, Yutaka Endo, Selamawit Woldesenbet, Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi Khan, Karol Rawicz-Pruszyński, Usama Waqar, Erryk Katayama, Vivian Resende, Mujtaba Khalil, Timothy M Pawlik; dated 4/24/28 (for print) Conclusion: The implementation of ME [Medicaid expansion] contributed to increased rates of palliative treatment for patients residing in ME states after expansion. However, racial disparities persist even after ME, resulting in inequitable access to palliative care. 

Changes coming to Long Beach homeless center where 20 enrolled diedNBC TV 4 Los Angeles, by Mekahlo Medina; 4/3/24... Mayor Rex Richardson addresses the death of 20 residents at the Homekey Hotel, a transitional housing facility in Long Beach, where many employees say was understaffed to attend medical needs. Mekahlo Medina reports for the NBC4 News on March 26, 2024. ... Long Beach said in its statement that “they will be continuing onsite partnerships with Healthcare in Action, Long Beach Community College nursing students, Wellbe Health, and Echo Hospice (palliative care). 

2024 budget and paylines update: [$12.5 million for palliative care research]National Institute on Aging, by Kenneth Santora; 3/28/24The recently signed into law H.R. 2882, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024,  includes full-year NIH funding through Sept. 30, 2024. ... The budget designates a $100 million increase for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) research, including $90 million for NIA and $10 million for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; as well as $12.5 million for palliative care research. 

A multicentre survey on the perception of palliative care among health professionals working in haematology Multicenter Study / PubMed; by Sara Di Lorenzo, Lisa Mozzi, Flavia Salmaso, Claudia Silvagni, Silvia Soffientini, Vanessa Valenti, Vittorina Zagonel; 3/27/24Purpose: Patients with haematologic malignancies have less access to palliative care and are referred later than patients with solid tumours. We developed a survey to investigate this phenomenon, with the intention of analysing palliative care perceptions among health professionals who treat haematology patients and identifying barriers and facilitators to referrals to palliative care services.

Researchers advocate for more home-based options for end-of-life care McKnights Home Care, by Adam Healy; 3/25/24 As older adults increasingly prefer to receive end-of-life care in their homes, new, community-based options will be critical to help patients achieve a home death, according to a new research review published in Palliative Care and Social Practice. ... The researchers analyzed 28 studies conducted between 2002 and 2023 related to factors that affect patients’ abilities to achieve a home death. One persistent issue, they found, was a lack of available home palliative care services. 

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.

The benefits of integrating palliative care into home-based care programs Home Health Care News, by Patrick Filbin; 3/18/24 Navigating new service lines can be daunting, especially when integrating palliative care into existing service lines. Yet, as some providers can attest, embracing change can also yield significant benefits. ... “It’s easier to remain in your own silo,” Tiffany Hughes, COO PalliCare Inc., said at the Hospice News/Palliative Care News Palliative Care Conference in Tampa, Florida. “I saw that [mindset] coming from hospice where it’s the perfect model of care because you control everything. When you start adding in different elements and add more hands into the pot, it gets more complicated.” Providers who are integrating more models of care into their operations are showing that – in general – the juice is worth the squeeze.