Literature Review

New voices, shared vision: How emerging research scholars are supporting HPNA's research prioritiesJournal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Jyotsana Parajuli, Kristin Levoy, Avery C Bechthold, Lyndsay Degroot, C Robert Bennett, Shena Gazaway, Heather Coats; 12/25Evidence-based practice is critical to providing high-quality hospice and palliative nursing care. Professional organizations, such as the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), play a critical role in shaping the future of the hospice and palliative nursing field by identifying gaps in the science and fostering collaborative research efforts to inform evidence-based practices. One such driver is the tri-annual HPNA Research Agenda, which outlines key research priorities in hospice and palliative nursing, ultimately aiming to accelerate translation of research into practice and practice improvements. In this article, 6 emerging research scholars in the field and present and former co-chairs of the HPNA Emerging Research Scholar Special Interest Group reflect on the experiences that led them to pursue research careers in hospice and palliative nursing. Through a process of collective self-assessment, these scholars articulated their shared progress toward addressing the research priorities outlined in the 2023-2026 HPNA Research Agenda as a means of generating insights to direct future research efforts in the field.

AMA ‘disappointed’ in MedPAC for backing off deeper Medicare pay reform Becker's Hospital Review; by Alan Condon; 1/15/26 The American Medical Association expressed disappointment after the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission voted Jan. 15 to recommend only a modest update to Medicare physician payments for 2027, backing away from more robust reforms it had previously supported. ... “The AMA appreciates that last year’s reconciliation bill provided a temporary 2.5 percent update for 2026; however, that increase expires in 2027,” David Aizuss, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees,” said in a news release shared with Becker’s. Editor's Note: Pair this with today's post, Alliance responds to MedPAC vote on home health and hospice payment recommendations.

Marion hospice volunteer wins major honor from New England Patriots SouthCoast Today | The Standard-Times; by Faith Harrington; 1/14/26 Giving back took center stage this season as the New England Patriots Foundation donated $185,000 to 17 local nonprofit organizations in honor of its 2025 Patriots Difference Makers. ... The feel-good initiative wrapped up during the Patriots’ season finale on Jan. 4, where all of the Difference Makers were recognized, including Marion resident Madeline Cooke, who earned the title of 2025 Patriots Difference Maker of the Year. ... As the 2025 Patriots Difference Maker of the Year, Cooke was presented with a $25,000 grant for Community Nurse Inc. ... The foundation called her “a trailblazer, determined to walk alongside patients and their loved ones with dignity, grace, and compassion.”

New AMA survey spotlights top priorities, challenges in 2026 HCN - HealthCare News, Chicago, IL; by HCN Staff; 1/9/26 Physician organizations are preparing for a dynamic state legislative landscape this year with health policy changes poised to reshape coverage, oversight, care delivery, and public health across the health system, according to a new survey released by the American Medical Assoc. (AMA). The AMA’s survey of 64 medical societies, including all 50 state medical societies and the District of Columbia, spotlights the leading healthcare priorities and challenges set to define state-level legislative action in 2026. Top issues include scope of practice, Medicaid policy pressures, and physician workforce challenges.

Phoenix medical students using AI to help them navigate difficult diagnoses or patient discussions NBC News 12, Phoenix, AZ; by Troy Lynch; 1/12/26 For nursing students, delivering a life-altering diagnosis or navigating end-of-life discussions can be more daunting than any clinical procedure. At Creighton University’s Health Sciences Phoenix campus, students are now turning to artificial intelligence to bridge that emotional gap. Launched in the fall of 2024, Creighton faculty and computer science students developed a specialized AI chatbot designed to help nursing students practice "soft skills" in a low-stakes environment. Unlike general-purpose AI, this program is custom-coded to simulate patient interactions and provide immediate, nuanced feedback on empathy and professional tone.

Senior nursing students encounter end-of-life experiences Bioengineer.org; 1/11/26 In a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the emotional and psychological landscape of nursing education, researchers have delved into the first encounters of senior nursing students with death and dying. This critical period in their education not only highlights their academic preparation but also illuminates the personal and ethical dimensions of caring for patients at the end of life. Such experiences are pivotal as they mold the future practices and attitudes of these budding healthcare professionals. 

“Can We Talk?” A community-based training to improve serious illness communication Home Healthcare Now; by Ashley Kaminski Petkis, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC and Eric Hackenson, DPT; Jan/Feb 2026 Serious illness conversations (SICs) are often delayed or avoided in community-based healthcare due to clinician discomfort and lack of training. Given that many patients wish to die at home, yet often do not, there is a need for structured communication training in home care and hospice settings to ensure the care we provide aligns with patient and family preferences. ...  By embedding SIC training within a community-based organization, this work demonstrated how modest interventions can catalyze a change in practice, reinforcing the idea that SICs are a standard of quality care rather than an optional enhancement.

Dying with dignity - personal perspective: The sacred ending we don’t talk about enough. Psychology Today; by Cynthia Chen-Joea DO, MPH, FAAFP, DABOM; 12/24/25 In the U.S., we spend enormous amounts of energy keeping people alive, curing, fixing, and prolonging life at all costs. What we rarely talk about is how people die. And more importantly, how poorly our system supports them when the end is clearly approaching. ... [Background story about her dad's Parkinson's and eventual death] ... Then came our request for hospice. After an evaluation, we were told he didn’t “qualify” because he had gained some weight and his albumin levels were “too high.” An arbitrary checklist, based on labs values, prevented him from getting into hospice. [Keep reading] So we tried for palliative care instead. I made call after call, only to be bounced between departments, many unclear on the difference between hospice and palliative care, ... Even as a physician, I was stunned by how many barriers we encountered simply trying to do the most humane thing: to advocate for dignity, comfort, and respect at the end of my father’s life.

Reconnecting at the end: The healing power of nature in hospice and palliative care ehospice; by Dr. Owen Wiseman; 1/5/26 ... Humans are wired to feel better in nature. We feel calmer when we see the colour green or hear water flowing from a stream nearby. ... Evidence shows that simply viewing nature can reduce pain, anxiety, and stress. In one of the most-cited studies, patients recovering from surgery who had window views of nature used 21% fewer pain medications and shortened hospital stays. ... I’ve had a front-row seat to the power of nature in palliative care, both professionally and personally. ...Small Ways to Bring Nature In - Not every hospice or palliative care space has access to large gardens or forests. That said, nature can still find a way in:

'It’s comfort, dignity and time': Agrace receives CuddleCot donation from JackPack GazetteXtra, Janesville, WI; by Kylie Balk-Yaatenen; 1/4/26 For nearly a decade, a Janesville family has worked to ensure that parents facing the loss of a baby are given something they themselves never had: Time. Through The Jack Pack, a local nonprofit founded after the stillbirth of their son, Jack, in 2015, Jackie Harwick and her husband, Garrick, have donated 14 CuddleCots to hospitals and hospice providers across southern Wisconsin. Their most recent donation went to ... Agrace’s pediatric hospice program. A CuddleCot is a temperature-controlled bassinet insert that slows natural changes after death, allowing families to spend extended time with their baby; ... That time can allow parents to hold their child, invite loved ones to meet the baby, create memories and begin grieving in a more supported way.