Literature Review

Impact of patient and caregiver beliefs on utilization of hospice and palliative care in diverse patients with advanced lung cancerAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; Melanie Besculides, Melissa B Mazor, Carolina Moreno Alvarado, Mayuri Jain, Lihua Li, Jose Morillo, Juan P Wisnivesky, Cardinale B Smith; 2/25A prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed patients ≥18 years old with advanced lung cancer and their caregivers was conducted. Participants completed validated surveys at multiple points and electronic health records were reviewed to evaluate utilization. Minoritized lung cancer patients held more negative beliefs about HC/PC [hospice care/palliative care] yet were more likely to receive HC/PC. Further work is needed to understand factors that impact utilization among diverse patients with advanced cancer.

Research priorities in neuropalliative care-A consensus statement from the International Neuropalliative Care SocietyJAMA Neurology; Winnie K. Lau, MD; Corey R. Fehnel, MD, MPH; Zachary A. Macchi, MD; Ambereen K. Mehta, MD, MPH; Manon Auffret, PharmD, PhD; Jori F. Bogetz, MD; Jori E. Fleisher, MD, MSCE; Jerome J. Graber, MD, MPH; Heather E. Leeper, MD, MS; Heena R. Manglani-Terranova, PhD; Susanne Muehlschlegel, MD, MPH; Emily L. Mroz, PhD; Elizabeth J. Pedowitz, MD; Usha Ramanathan, MSc, MD; Max Sarmet, SLP, MSc; Nathan A. Shlobin, BA; Leonard Sokol, MD; Susan Allyson Weeks, MA; Jiayun Xu, PhD, RN; Helen Bundy Medsger; Claire J. Creutzfeldt, MD; Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD; Darin B. Zahuranec, MD, MS; David Y. Hwang, MD; 2/25The International Neuropalliative Care Society Research Committee convened an interdisciplinary panel of experts, including clinicians, scientists, people with neurologic disease, and care partners, to identify priority research areas for the advancement of neuropalliative care as a field. Three priority areas highlighted in this review include (1) patient- and care partner–centered symptoms and outcomes specific to neurologic illness and tools for their assessment, (2) development of effective neuropalliative care interventions and delivery models, and (3) methods to support the ability to foster, deliver, and measure goal-concordant care over time.

New insights into older hearts  The New York Times; by Paula Span; 2/15/25 It turns out that the Isley Brothers, who sang that 1966 Motown hit “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You),” were onto something when they linked age to an aching and flagging heart. Heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death and disability, has been diagnosed in about 6 percent of Americans ages 45 to 64, but in more than 18 percent of those over 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ... [In] recent years, dramatic improvements in treatments for many kinds of cardiovascular conditions have helped reduce both heart attacks and cardiac deaths. ... That can complicate decision-making for heart patients in their 70s and beyond, however. Certain procedures or regimens may not markedly extend the lives of older patients or improve the quality of their remaining years, especially if they have already suffered heart attacks and are contending with other illnesses as well. “We don’t need to open an artery just because there’s an artery to be opened,” said Dr. Alexander, referring to inserting a stent. “We need to think of the whole person.” ...

Advanced cardiac care boosts symptom management, quality of life Carolina Caring, Newton, NC; by Cassidy Collins; 2/12/25 For those living with advanced heart disease or heart failure diagnoses, access to the right medical care can greatly improve their quality of life. This Heart Month, Carolina Caring is spotlighting the Advanced Cardiac Care Program, which provides treatment and clinical support to help patients with heart failure manage their symptoms from wherever they call home. It is the first program of its kind in North Carolina and one of the first established in the nation. It also recognized as a Certified Care program in Palliative/Hospice Heart Failure from the American Heart Association (AHA). Since this certification, Carolina Caring saw a drop to zero readmissions for primary congestive heart failure Hospice patients by the end of 2024. The benefits of this comprehensive, home-based cardiac care program are best illustrated through individuals such as Shirley, a hospice patient who began her journey with Carolina Caring last spring.

Lived experiences of patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure and kidney dysfunctionJAMA Network Open; Gwen M. Bernacki, MD, MHSA; Ann M. O’Hare, MD, MA; Mahlet Assefa, MD; Kevin D. O’Brien, MD; David K. Prince, PhD; James N. Kirkpatrick, MD; Nisha Bansal, MD, MAS; Catherine R. Butler, MD, MA; 1/25This qualitative study of patients currently or recently hospitalized with ADHF [acute decompensated heart failure] and kidney dysfunction offers a window on the lived experiences of members of this medically vulnerable group. Study participants offered vivid accounts of how their illness had impacted their day-to-day lives, sense of self, life priorities, and hopes and expectations for the future. However, many lacked a detailed understanding of the medical aspects of their illness and did not always feel equipped or empowered to actively participate in their care. Our findings suggest that there may be untapped opportunities to improve quality of communication for patients with ADHF and kidney dysfunction. 

Impact of inpatient palliative care on end-of-life care among patients with early-onset colorectal cancerJournal of Clinical Oncology; Suriya Baskar, Bohae R Lee, Rajiv Midha, Udhayvir Singh Grewal; 1/25Palliative care has proven benefits in elderly patients with advanced cancer; however, the objective benefits of palliative care in younger patients with cancer remain under-studied. We sought to examine the impact of inpatient palliative care consultation on end-of-life (EOL) care among hospitalized patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC). Inpatient palliative care consultation at EOL among patients with EOCRC was associated with lesser use of aggressive interventions and higher rates of DNR code status. We also noted significantly lower costs of hospitalization among patients receiving inpatient palliative care consultation at EOL. These results underscore the importance of integration of inpatient palliative care consultation among patients with EOCRC at EOL. 

How to help caregivers of patients with dementia Physician's Weekly; by Linda Girgis, MD, FAAP; 2/13/25 Dr. Linda Girgis discusses how physicians can assist caregivers of patients with dementia, helping these critical caretakers avoid experiencing burnout. ... As doctors, we all have witnessed caregiver burnout. Often, it was a family member who bore the brunt of the responsibility, one for whom there were no vacation days or sick time available. Whatever specialty we practice, we know patients with dementia can present a significant problem. ... How can we assist caregivers of patients with dementia?

A CEO’s strategic guide to leading people facing cancer CEO World Magazine; by Joelle Kaufman; 2/10/25 Cancer doesn’t just affect individuals – it impacts entire organizations. As leaders, we must anticipate and prepare for the moment when cancer touches our teams. With over 18 million cancer survivors currently in the U.S. workforce and over 2 million new diagnoses annually, the question isn’t if cancer will affect your organization but when and how you’ll respond. ... The first step will be how you respond when an employee shares that cancer is impacting their life. The second step is how you will manage while cancer is having its impact. ... When we get this right, we build more than just protocols – we build resilient organizations that demonstrate our values through action. In doing so, we create the kind of workplace where people can bring their whole selves, face life’s challenges with dignity, and continue contributing meaningfully to our shared mission. Editor's note: Getting this "right" matters especially for hospice and palliative care organizations. Read this article for both strategic professional guidelines and a personal story from a CMO/business owner.

A broader end-of-life-view: The need for hospice and palliative care extends beyond the elderly, as the patient population at Transitions LifeCare suggestsTriangle Business Journal, Raleigh, NC; by Connie Gentry; 2/7/25 Although the likelihood of developing cancer is highest for anyone over age 65, the American Cancer Society’s annual report on cancer statistics, released last month, noted increasing incidents of many cancer types among younger adults and women. ... But positive outcomes were also reported: The cancer mortality rate in the U.S. declined by 34 percent from 1991 to 2022 and, since 1970, cancer mortality in children 14 years and younger has declined by 70 percent and among adolescents ages 15 to 19 years it has dropped by 63 percent. ... Although the majority of their hospice patients are over the age of 75, Transitions LifeCare is seeing an increase in younger patients. Last year, roughly 9 percent of their hospice patients were under age 65, almost evenly divided between women and men.

Assessment of organ donation knowledge and attitudes among patients visiting the nephrology outpatient clinic at a tertiary healthcare facilityOmega-Journal of Death and Dying; Ezgi Yarasir, Mehtap Gomleksiz, Muhammet Ridvan Gomleksiz, Ayhan Dogukan; 1/25This study aims to assess the knowledge levels, attitudes, and influencing factors related to organ donation among patients who visited the Nephrology outpatient clinic. A total of 37.5% of the participants stated that they were considering organ donation. Participants with a high school education or higher, those who believed they had sufficient knowledge about organ donation, and those who had a family member awaiting organ transplantation demonstrated a positive attitude toward organ donation ... Understanding societal knowledge and attitudes about organ donation is crucial for assessing individual awareness of this issue.

New report details financial, emotional toll of Parkinson’s on family caregivers McKnights Home Care; by Foster Stubbs; 2/4/25 A new report sheds a light on the unique challenges faced by family caregivers who care for loved ones with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The report, Parkinson’s Disease Caregiving in the US, features insights from secondary analysis and supplementary interviews with 10 PD caregivers. These caregivers average 31 hours of unpaid care per week; half of interviewed caregivers exceed 100 hours each week, according to the report. The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), with support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and Arcadia University, released the report.  

ASCO updates Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer Cancer Therapy Advisor; by Jen Smith; 2/4/25 The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has updated its guidelines on neoadjuvant chemotherapy use in patients with newly diagnosed, stage III-IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The guideline authors used data from 61 studies to provide recommendations. ... [Click here for the research article.]

Experts are debating whether some cancers shouldn’t be called thatJAMA; Rita Rubin, MA; 1/25Back in 2012, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) convened a conference to discuss the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of indolent tumors—asymptomatic lesions unlikely to progress for years—that are detected by mammography, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and other screening tools. “I don’t think the name is that important,” acknowledged Hwang, who participated in the 2012 NCI conference about overdiagnosis and overtreatment. “It’s how we react to the diagnosis and how we convey risk to the patients.” In other words, stop calling low-risk tumors cancer, but make sure patients understand that such lesions are risk factors for cancer and, therefore, require diligent monitoring. Or keep calling the tumors cancer, but make sure patients understand that these lesions are unlikely to cause problems, so active surveillance, not immediate treatment, is appropriate.