Literature Review

Bereaved parents' experiences of virtual Storytelling Through Music: A qualitative analysisJournal of Pain & Symptom Management; by Carolyn S Phillips, Sue E Morris, Erin Rodriguez, Megan Hebdon, Jason Morris, Rev Brandon Morgan, Meera Singh, Amanda Maestro, Claudia Gruber; 9/26Bereaved parents whose child died from cancer are at risk for prolonged and complicated grief, yet accessible, engaging bereavement interventions remain limited. Storytelling Through Music (STM) is a virtual, group-delivered expressive arts intervention that integrates reflective writing, psychoeducation, and therapeutic songwriting. Five interrelated themes characterized the STM experience: (1) connecting with peers and music, (2) benefits of coping through sharing, (3) expansive emotional experience ... , (4) graded exposure through the sequenced writing-storytelling-songwriting process, and (5) enduring legacy, with the final song functioning as a lasting keepsake and ongoing coping resource. STM appears to support multidimensional grief processing by combining social connection, narrative meaning-making, and music-based emotional engagement in a virtual format.

Palliative care utilization in mesothelioma: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2020)Journal of Palliative Care; by Sangam Sangam, Tripti Jain, Pulkit Jain, Shorabh Sharma; 9/26Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal cancer with a median survival of about 1 year after diagnosis. Palliative care (PC) becomes important in improving symptom control and quality of life in cancer patients. However, there is no literature regarding specific determinants of PC utilization in hospitalized mesothelioma patients. We studied the trends and determinants in utilization of PC, and its impact on hospital costs using the National Inpatient Sample. Inpatient PC use in mesothelioma remains low but is associated with lower hospitalization costs. These findings support the need for systematic early PC integration in Mesothelioma management in a hospital setting.

Spirituality in end-of-life care: Tips and tools for all physiciansAmerican Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine; by Derek Ross Soled, Sheila Cavanaugh, Anne Vandenhoeck, Michael Balboni; 9/26Many physicians find themselves with patients when life’s final horizon is approaching but feel ill-equipped when they cannot take the suffering away. If a patient has no discernible chance of recovery, praying for healing seems disingenuous, and yet expressing condolences seems premature. Family and friends sometimes similarly grapple with how best to convey sincere emotion without amplifying any awkwardness. End-of-life situations are often protracted and can weary clinicians and families alike with the challenge of what to say. This article discusses practical tools for physicians navigating these situations with a focus on spirituality and the role of chaplains.

[UK & Northern Ireland] What AI could not hear - Reflections on AI-assisted end-of-life communication as an international ICU fellowJournal of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Anesthesia; by Dr Nikita Thomas; 9/26For an internationally trained clinician adapting to a new healthcare system, AI emerged as a potentially useful supportive tool during difficult conversations. By reducing cognitive overload and providing conversational structure, it created greater space to focus on listening, pacing, and the emotional flow of the interaction. The conversation also exposed the limitations of AI-supported communication. Meaningful communication depended on interpreting silence, hesitation, grief, pacing, and the need for reassurance. Respectful pauses and culturally shaped expectations surrounding death and family communication extended beyond what the AI-generated structure could interpret. Rather than replacing the human elements of communication, the experience suggested that AI may help create more cognitive space for them.

Acute delirium management in hospice and palliative careJournal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing; by Shih-Yin Lin and Donna E. McCabe; 10/14/26 ... Effective prevention and management of delirium require a multifaceted, interprofessional approach that addresses modifiable risk factors, as well as the underlying acute medical causes. Hospice and palliative care nurses play a central role in implementing evidence-based nonpharmacological interventions and engaging family care partners to reduce symptom burden and improve outcomes through goal-concordant, supportive strategies, including early mobility, hydration, sleep-wake regulation, and careful pharmacological stewardship. 

Hidden consciousness in coma patients: researchers unlock direct communication TakeToNews; by David Miller; 10/23/26 Patients who lie motionless in bed following severe brain injuries and show no reaction to external stimuli are clinically classified as unconscious. However, groundbreaking new research reveals that a significant portion of these individuals may perceive much more of their surrounding environment than previously assumed—and may even possess the capability to communicate. These revelations stem from comprehensive studies led by neurologist Dr. Jan Claassen and his colleagues at Columbia University in New York. The team successfully developed a non-invasive brain-computer interface designed to establish contact with patients presumed to be completely unresponsive.

Urban and rural hospital closures in Georgia, 2022-2024JAMA Network Open; by Sara D. Turbow, Kajal Patel, Young-Rock Hong, Jennifer Lom, Mohammed K. Ali; 9/26Hospital closures are a growing concern with a marked increase in both urban and rural hospital closures seen in recent years. These closures, often due to financial strain, decline in patient volumes, and inequities in health care funding, can result in loss of access to critical medical services. The purpose of this study was to examine postclosure changes in discharge volume, charges, and length of stay at hospitals near urban vs rural hospital closures in the state of Georgia. Urban hospital closures are an emerging area that will only become more relevant as policy changes are expected to lead to more urban closures in the coming years.

Current challenges and future innovation in rural heart failure care: A qualitative analysisJournal of Cardiovascular Nursing; by Alexander A. Walkon, Shoshana H. Bardach, Aricca D. Van Citters, Tamar Mosulishvili, Samuel L. Youkilis, Amanda N. Perry, Megan M. Holthoff, Olawale O. Akinola, Amelia M. Cullinan, Melissa Borrows, Katharine A. Manning; 9/26Individuals living with heart failure experience challenges managing frequent hospital admissions and life-altering symptoms, including dyspnea, fatigue, and depression. These challenges are exacerbated by the unique obstacles associated with receiving healthcare in a rural community. Their care partners often do not receive sufficient support to care for someone with heart failure and experience fatigue, social isolation, and anxiety. Interviewees reported challenges related to symptom and care partner burden, fragmented healthcare communication, limited institutional support, and an unclear role for palliative care. Interviewees suggested that integrating personalized care strategies, improving communication and coordination, and expanding specialized support may help address these challenges.

Surrogate decision-making for older adults with and without dementiaJAMA Network Open; by Lauren Hersch Nicholas, Scott D. Halpern, Kenneth M. Langa, Mario Macis; 10/7/26In this survey study of 5965 adults, fewer respondents endorsed life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) when a hypothetical patient had dementia (22% vs 40%). LSTs were more likely to be recommended when the respondent preferred them for their own care, when patient advance directives requested them, and when physicians recommended them. The findings suggest that surrogates’ own values and assumptions about quality of life with dementia, along with documented patient wishes and clinical guidance, may contribute to their recommendations. These findings highlight the importance of preparing patients and surrogates for care decisions through explicit discussions of goals of care and decision-making roles.

[Greece] Early clinical mediation in end-of-life disputes: A procedural justice analysisHealth Care Analysis; by Olympia Lioupi; 9/26Conflicts arise when surrogates request life-sustaining treatments that clinicians consider medically futile. This article proposes that early presumptive medical mediation with opt-out provisions should become the default initial offer for resolving such disputes. Mediation offers four procedural advantages: (a) protected and appropriately inclusive voice, (b) confidential caucus, (c) interest-based framing, and (d) outcome ownership. Embedding an early, structured offer of mediation in end-of-life policy may reduce escalation and strengthen the procedural legitimacy and acceptability of decision-making when voluntariness and appropriate clinical, ethical and legal safeguards are maintained. However, it cannot guarantee agreement, shorter ICU stays, reduced litigation, or substantively correct ethical outcomes.