Literature Review

Psychedelic therapy debate returns to Missouri General AssemblyMissouri Independent, by Rebecca Rivas; 1/30/24Numerous clinical studies nationwide have shown positive results from using psilocybin to treat PTSD, depressiona and substance use. Republican lawmakers are once again pushing legislation that would require Missouri to conduct a clinical study on using psilocybin, more commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care. ... In the House Veterans Committee on Tuesday, Republican Rep. Aaron McMullen of Independence plans to present an amended version of the bill that would limit its scope to only veterans. The suicide rate among veterans in Missouri is nearly double the state rate and one of the highest in the country. ... McMullen, a veteran who served in a combat unit in Afghanistan, told The Independent, “While psilocybin is not a panacea for every issue, it represents a first true scientifically-validated hope that we have to address this crisis.”

Effectiveness of an Advance Care Planning intervention in adults receiving dialysis and their families: A cluster randomized clinical trialJAMA Network, by Mi-Kyung Song, PhD, RN; Amita Manatunga, PhD; Laura Plantinga, PhD; 1/29/24In this randomized clinical trial, the [Advanced Care Planning] ACP intervention implemented by health care workers at dialysis centers improved preparation for EOL decision-making but showed mixed effectiveness on bereavement outcomes. The ACP intervention implemented in dialysis centers may be an effective strategy to the dyad preparation for end-of-life care as opposed to the current focus on advance directives.

Spotlight PA court victory leads to new academic research into Pa. medical marijuana program Spotlight PA, by Ed Mahon; 1/29/24After a 15-month legal battle, Spotlight PA in 2022 won access to data showing the reasons why hundreds of thousands of patients qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program. We published a big investigation based on the records last year. ... In an article, the researchers described the work as “the first study in the U.S. of the association between dispensary locations and qualifying conditions.”

Viewpoint: Care fragmentation, care continuity, and care coordination—How they differ and why it mattersJAMA Intern Med., by Lisa M. Kern, MD, MPH; Julie P. W. Bynum, MD, MPH; Harold Alan Pincus, MD; 1/29/24Health care in the US is characterized by fragmentation, with many patients seeing multiple physicians. Indeed, 35% of Medicare beneficiaries saw 5 or more physicians in 2019.1 Having multiple physicians may be appropriate, but it may also lead to medical errors, unnecessary visits, avoidable hospitalizations, and suboptimal care if all of the physicians do not have complete information about the patient and each other’s care plans.

Introducing the expanded JAMA Internal Medicine Editorial FellowshipJAMA Intern Med, by Michael A. Incze, MD, MSEd; Kenneth E. Covinsky, MD, MPH; Sharon K. Inouye, MD, MPH; 1/29/24We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Editorial Fellowship program at JAMA Internal Medicine. Educating clinicians and future leaders in internal medicine is a core part of JAMA Internal Medicine’s mission, and the journal has had a robust Fellowship program for medical trainees since 2015. This year, we will grow our Fellowship program, inviting early-career faculty to apply for an immersive 1-year program that provides longitudinal mentorship and hands-on experience in learning how to work as a member of the editorial team at a leading, widely read, high-impact internal medicine journal.

Your 2024 guide to Joint Commission changes - Becker's Hospital ReviewBecker's Hospital Review, by Ashleigh Hollowell; 1/26/24The Joint Commission is cutting more than 200 standards across its accreditation programs, many of which will take effect July 1. The organization initially announced its plans to scale back standards at this scale in July 2023, describing it as the "second tranche of major standards' reduction" following a first round of cuts in December 2022. ... [Among these], Home Care will receive a 15% reduction in performance elements.

Use of complementary health approaches overall and for pain management by US adultsJAMA, by Richard L. Nahin, MPH, PhD; Amber Rhee, MHS; Barbara Stussman, BA; 1/25/24Millions of US adults use complementary health approaches (CHAs) each year; ... Previously, the safety and efficacy of many of these approaches lacked rigorous clinical trials. Over the past 2 decades, increasing evidence has supported the safety and efficacy of selected approaches for pain management. We examined trends in CHA use among US adults at 3 time points: 2002, 2012, and 2022.

Defining key elements of a clinical experience in hospice and palliative medicine for medical residents in the United StatesJ Med Educ Curric Dev, by Carolyn E. Kezar and Andrew J. Lawton; 1/23/24The ACGME [Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education] has ... recognized the importance of HPM [hospice and palliative medicine] training for medical residents, establishing in its 2022 Common Program Requirements for Internal Medicine a new expectation that all residents have a clinical experience in HPM. ... However, internal residencies vary significantly. ... In this perspective, we draw from the available literature and our experience as educators to propose 5 core elements for creating an optimal HPM experience for medical residents.Editor's Note: Does your hospice support nearby medical schools? Rich opportunities abound.

Cancer report highlights LGBTQ+ issuesPhiladelphia Gay News, by Gary L. Day; 1/23/24Each year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) puts out an annual report with extensive up-to-date information on cancer, its incidence, treatment and other pertinent facts. Cancer Facts & Figures 2024 includes something new: a separate special section on cancer in the LGBTQ+ community.

Craft a memorial pillow for your loved one at this DeKalb workshopShaw Local News Network; 1/22/24The DeKalb Public Library will partner with Northern Illinois Hospice to host a workshop for patrons to create pillows out of a loved one’s shirt. ... Attendees can create up to two pillows out of a T-shirt or button-down shirt. Sewers will be available to assist. Participants should not bring denim, jackets or thick fabrics. Bereavement information and support will be provided.Editor's Note: Explore this lovely, meaningful activity for your hospice's bereavement care, volunteer services, and community outreach.

The challenges facing male caregiversNext Avenue, by Sophie Okolo; 1/23/24When business owner Mark Horst (not his real name) of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, first found out his wife of 37 years was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he didn't know what the journey would entail. Of all caregivers in the United States, 16 million, or 40%, are men. Of these men, 63% identified as primary caregivers. 

Inside AccentCare’s new, centralized approach to bereavement careHospice News, by Jim Parker; 1/23/24After five years of planning, the post-acute services provider AccentCare recently re-organized its bereavement care services, which are now coordinated from a national center.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1: palliative care guidelinesBMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, by Derek Willis, Tracey Willis, Claire Bassie, Gail Eglon, Emma-Jayne Ashley, and Chris Turner; 1/22/24Palliative care for adults with neuromuscular conditions is an emerging field. Previous guidelines regarding myotonic dystrophy and palliative care have only mentioned end-of-life care and little else. The following guidelines have been written using national experts as a description of best practice as part of the Dystrophia Myotonica National Care Guidelines Consortium.Requires subscription or purchase