Literature Review

Moral distress and occupational burnout in US physicians JAMA Network; by Michael A. Tutty, PhD, MHA, Colin P. West, MD, PhD, Liselotte N. Dyrbye, MD, MHPE, Hanhan Wang, MPS, Lindsey E. Carlasare, MBA, Christine A. Sinsky, MD, Mickey Trockel, MD, PhD, Tait D. Shanafelt, MD; 3/24/26 Question: What is the level of moral distress and the association between burnout, intent to leave (ITL), and intent to reduce work hours (ITR) among physicians and US workers? Conclusion and Relevance:  In this survey study, moral distress was common among physicians and experienced at higher rates than the general US working population. Understanding the differences between moral distress and burnout may allow organizations to more effectively implement interventions to address both concerns among clinicians. 

ClearPath Healthcare launches in-home primary care service across Central Oregon Cascade Business News (CBN); by CBN; 4/2/26 ClearPath Healthcare, a nonprofit and hospice leader in Central Oregon for more than 40 years, has launched its new In-Home Primary Care service. This program was launched to help Central Oregonians who find it difficult to physically get in to see their primary care doctor. ClearPath Healthcare’s aim is to bring quality, unhurried care right to patients’ doors. This launch is an important step for ClearPath Healthcare, which changed its name from Hospice of Redmond in December 2025. The new name reflects the organization’s expanded services, including a wider range of care, from primary care to end-of-life support.

Expert panel updating NCHPC’s Palliative Care Clinical Practice Guidelines Hospice News; by Kevin Ryan; 4/1/26 The National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care (NCHPC) has chosen a panel of 33 palliative care experts to develop the 5th edition of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care. Originally created in 2004, through the National Consensus Project, the guidelines established the first national, evidence-based standards for the palliative care field. The guidelines have been updated four times since 2004 and have been endorsed by more than 90 health and professional health care worker organizations.  

Integrating palliative care: The power of silence in oncology Oncology Nursing News; by Angela Thomas, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-C, ACHPN; 3/31/26Integrating palliative care principles into oncology requires the ability to allow silence to create a space where patients can process difficult news and feel truly seen. According to Angela Thomas, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-C, ACHPN, these intentional pauses validate the patient’s experience and provide a necessary emotional release. By sitting in silence, providers acknowledge the gravity of the patient’s situation, which Thomas identifies as a core “heart issue” learned from palliative care and successfully integrated into the oncology setting. In a recent interview with Oncology Nursing News, Thomas, of Texas Oncology, discusses how practitioners can incorporate these techniques into their daily practice. 

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine announces 2026 annual Presidential Citation HonoreesPR Newswire; by American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; 2/3/26The three honorees this year are the

Neenah pastor finds deeper calling after brother’s hospice journey WFRV Green Bay, WI; by Breanna Reinhart; 3/30/26 For the Reverend Niveen Ibrahim Sarras, walking with people through their final moments of life is more than a calling. It’s deeply personal. ... For years, Sarras has guided families through grief, offering prayers and presence at the end of life. But last summer, she found herself navigating that journey from a different perspective. Her brother, Odeh, traveled from Palestine to visit after a long battle with cancer. Just days later, doctors delivered devastating news. “The doctor, after having a CT scan, told me my brother was dying, and I shouldn’t let my brother go back,” Sarras said. Her family turned to hospice care, ... Through language barriers, cultural differences and grief, a team of local caregivers stepped in to help. What followed was a shared experience of compassion and learning. “I just want people to know that with hospice we are there to support you wherever you are at, no matter the cultural background,” said ThedaCare hospice nurse Briana Eggert.Editor's Note: To what extent does your hospice put this into action—supporting persons “no matter the cultural background”? Whatever your strengths, where are your cultural gaps, and how can you better align commitments with action through training, access to translated materials, interpreters, and community partnerships?

Expanded palliative care program in Dubuque addresses a 'significant need' Telegraph Herald; by Grace Burwell; 3/28/26 A “meant to be” collaboration between two Dubuque providers is offering the local aging population expanded palliative support. UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital and Hospice of Dubuque recently launched an expanded palliative care program, bringing three nurse practitioners to the Dubuque hospital. Lavonne Noel, executive director of Hospice of Dubuque, said the new resource sprung out of “more need than ever before. It’s more important than ever that we work together in the health care environment right now, so we’re excited to join forces and collaborate on this."

New program and book examine best practices around end-of-life care for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) Hospice Foundation of America, Washington, DC; by Lisa Veglahn;3/25/26 Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) will present its 33rd annual Living with Grief® educational program, Best Practices in Hospice Care for Advanced Dementia, addressing optimal care for the fastest growing segment of the hospice population. The program will be held live via Zoom on April 14, 2026, from noon—2 pm ET. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers estimate that 42% of Americans over the age of 55 will at some point develop a form of dementia, all of which are terminal illnesses. ... In addition to the upcoming program, HFA has published a new volume of scholarly and personal work, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: A Guide for Hospice Clinicians, edited by Kenneth J. Doka and Amy S. Tucci. The book offers valuable insights and practical approaches to delivering compassionate, person-centered end-of-life care to individuals with dementia and their loved ones. Editor's Note: Hospice Foundation of America has long defined standards for hospice education, and once again leads at a pivotal moment as dementia impacts Baby Boomers' end-of-life care. From their early satellite broadcasts that convened clinicians nationwide to today’s expansive reach, HFA has consistently translated complexity into practical, practice-changing insight. This work challenges us not only to learn, but to lead—bringing greater clarity, skill, and compassion to those living with dementia and those who walk beside them.

Part of the ‘nephrology toolbox’: ASN releases conservative kidney management guidance Healio; by Lucas Laboy, Susan P. Y. Wong, MD, MS, Jane O. Schell, MD, MHS; 3/27/26 The American Society of Nephrology issued new kidney health guidance on conservative management as a practical treatment option for patients with kidney failure. Key Takeaways:

Palliative care should be integrated into cardiology therapy earlier, says study Medical Xpress; by Inka Väth; 3/25/26 An international group of authors has called for a shift in cardiovascular care. ... For clinical practice, the group of authors therefore recommends a stronger structural integration of palliative care content into cardiology. This includes interdisciplinary care teams, shared treatment models, and more intensive training in internal communication and symptom management. Palliative care should also be given greater consideration in medical education. ... Palliative care should be the standard in cardiology, not the exception. After all, the success of sustainable cardiology will not be measured solely by how long people live, but by how well they can live.

End-of-life care planning for individuals with special needsJD Supra; by Chamblis, Bahner & Stphel, P.C.; 3/23/26 Takeaways

Building excellence: The journey to American Heart Association Certification Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; by Fahey, Donna M. MSN, MFA, RN, AHN-BC, CHPN, CNL; 3/24/26 Heart failure patients often arrive at hospice with advanced symptoms, variable care plans, and limited coordination across settings. To address this, Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice pursued the American Heart Association Palliative/Hospice–Heart Failure Certification. The initiative required a full system redesign focused on standardizing education, documentation, care coordination, and performance measurements. This article outlines the challenges encountered ... and describes the process used to achieve certification in October 2025.