Literature Review

How a novel coaching intervention is building resilience and hope in adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer: A conversation with Abby R. Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA The ASCO Post; by Jo Cavaloo; 9/15/25 Each year, nearly 90,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs; aged 15–39) are diagnosed with cancer, and approximately 9,300 die of the disease. ... AYAs are at increased risk for developing adverse long-term side effects from cancer and/or its treatment, including chronic conditions, secondary cancers, infertility, poor psychosocial health, and financial toxicity. ... The findings from a recent randomized phase III clinical trial investigating a novel resilience coaching intervention for AYA patients with advanced cancer are showing promising results in improving feelings of resilience and hope, as well as longer-term improvement in quality of life for these patients. ... In a wide-ranging interview with The ASCO Post, Dr. Rosenberg discussed the psychosocial impact of cancer on AYA cancer survivors, the results of the PRISM-AC study, and how AYA survivors are able to cope with having a terminal prognosis.

Wound care at Sheridan VA gives 95-year-old Veteran a second chance: Veteran removed from hospice care at Sheridan VA after wounds heal VA News; by Jesus Flores; 9/12/25 When 95-year-old Air Force Veteran Roy Clifton arrived at Sheridan VA Medical Center (SVAMC) in March 2025, he thought he didn’t have much time left. “I had a bone infection in both feet and could barely walk,” he said. “Then I had a fall that caused a bleed in my brain. That’s when I decided to call it quits and go to hospice.” ... [Scroll ahead to this hospice's expert wound care.] Although both feet had exposed bones, and the injuries looked and smelled bad, Clifton’s body was healing. ... Clifton’s condition improved so much, he was taken off hospice care. “It made me feel great to survive hospice,” he said, smiling. “They’re all great. The staff took good care of me.”

St. Charles fifth graders make greeting cards for hospice patients Hometown Stations - ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Lima, OH; by Pearl Lewandowski; 9/11/25 For the past 25 years, students have taken part in making greeting cards for local hospice patients. ... “Fifth graders are at an age where they may have already lost someone, or they may have someone who's sick, or they may have aging grandparents, so there's always concerns and questions,” said Dr. Amy Mestemaker, medical director of Mercy Health Hospice. “If we can help support them or help them better understand the process, we want to do that.” 

Baptist Health Floyd's 'Three Wishes' project provides comfort during end-of-life process FOX WDRB Media, Louisville, KY; Press Release; 9/8/25 Baptist Health Floyd patients and families facing end-of-life decisions now have extra support through the hospital's "Three Wishes" project. Baptist Health Floyd launched the Three Wishes Project a few months ago as a way to ease the burden faced by patients and their families who are nearing the end of their life. The program grants small, meaningful wishes to patients and their families, according to a news release. Baptist Health Floyd ICU RN Makenzie Stiffler, who leads the program, said "it is a way to humanize the death and dying process in ICU (Intensive Care Unit)." 

[UK] Does non-beneficial nasogastric tube feeding occur during end-of-life care? An audit of outcomes for those with a malnutrition universal screening tool score of 2Journal of Palliative Medicine; by Ross Andrew James Webster, Moitree Banerjee, Rachel King, Rosana Pacella, Antonina Pereira; 8/25The consideration of artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) is recommended for individuals with reduced nutritional intake. However, placing long-term nonoral feeding tubes is not appropriate in those with advanced dementia or if the individual is likely to die imminently—“within hours or days”. In some instances, the provision of ANH in the weeks leading up to death may be considered a “Non-Beneficial Treatment.” In [this study a] total [of] 40 (47.6%) of 84 NGT [nasogastric tube]-flagged individuals were deceased within six months. Conclusions: NGT insertions in this cohort have a high likelihood of being considered “non-beneficial.”

Family says bear attack victim to be transferred to hospice care KNWA/KFTA FOX-24, Little Rock, AR; by Justin Trobaugh; 9/9/25 The family of a Franklin County man says Sept. 8 that his condition has worsened and that he has been moved to hospice care. Vernon Patton, 72, is being held at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences after being attacked by a bear in the Mulberry Mountain area of Franklin County on Sept. 3. Patton was working on a gravel road with his tractor near Mulberry Mountain Lodge Park when the black bear attacked, according to Keith Stephens with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). His son arrived to check on him and saw the bear actively attacking. Editor's Note: Executive leaders, traumatic events like this that lead to a hospice admission call for extra support for your clinical, direct care professionals and volunteers. They can experience secondary trauma as they tend horrific wounds, both physical (for the patient) and emotional (for family and friends). Also, what policies do you have in place to balance important community news and family privacy (e.g. staff or volunteers posting anything on social media).

The hidden crisis in serious illness care and how we fix itMedCityNews; by Dr. Mihir Kamdar; 9/7/25 Every year, millions of Americans with serious illnesses find themselves caught in a dangerous limbo: not sick enough to qualify for hospice, but far too ill to be served by our traditional healthcare system. The result is care that’s expensive, fragmented, and often traumatic. These patients are shuffled between a revolving door of emergency rooms and ICUs, enduring a cascade of aggressive interventions that don’t match their goals or improve their quality of life. This approach not only undermines quality, it drives healthcare spending through the roof, particularly in the last year of life. This is the hidden crisis in serious illness care. And it’s getting worse. At the root of the problem is what many in the field call the “hospice cliff.” ...

The keys to building solid disease-specific hospice programs Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 9/8/25 Understanding the most prevalent medical conditions among aging patient populations is a significant part of developing disease-specific programs that better address physical, emotional and practical needs. ... Community needs assessments play a large role in steering the direction of a disease-specific program, said Evan Dressel, director of strategy, program development and innovation at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.  ... Navigating service needs, strategic execution and establishing successful care collaborations are crucial components to consider when building a disease-specific program, according to Kelly Gadison, vice president of clinical practice, strategy and programs at Amedisys. ... 

Irish man uses ChatGPT for sore throat advice, later diagnosed with stage 4 cancer TimesNow; by Ashima Sharda Mahindra; 9/1/25 A 37-year-old Irish man from Kerry sought advice on ChatGPT on chronic sore throat and swallowing difficulties – and was ultimately diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive throat cancer. Warren Tierney said ChatGPT had reassured him that cancer was “highly unlikely,” which led him to a delay in seeking professional medical care. Months later, Warren was diagnosed with cancer, which has a five-year survival rate between five and ten per cent globally.

Sexuality and intimacy in the context of palliative and end-of-life care: A scoping reviewInternational Journal of Palliative Nursing; by Michelle Traverse, Susan D Mueller, Susan DeSanto-Madeya, Melissa A Sutherland; 8/25This scoping review identifies what is known about patient/partner sexuality and intimacy needs during end-of-life care and how healthcare professionals' (HCPs) approach these needs. A total of 18 articles were included in the review. Four themes were identified: 1) negative impact of serious illness on sexuality and intimacy, 2) barriers and facilitators to addressing sexuality, 3) tension between expansive and genital-focused approaches to sexuality and intimacy, and 4) a disconnect between patient/partner needs and HCP preparation. HCPs require clear and comprehensive training to improve their ability to address sexuality and intimacy during end-of-life care. Taking an expansive view of sexuality and intimacy during this time may facilitate HCP interventions.

Top ten tips palliative care clinicians should know about intensive care unit consultationJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Ankita Mehta, Karen Bullock, Jillian L. Gustin, Rachel A. Hadler, Judith E. Nelson, William E. Rosa, Jennifer B. Seaman, Shelley E. Varner-Perez, Douglas B. White; 8/25Critical illness and ICU stays can be extremely distressing for patients and their loved ones. Providing palliative care in the ICU, although a standard component of comprehensive care delivery, involves understanding the individual culture of each specific ICU, collaboration with multiple providers, and interfacing with surrogate decision makers while patients may not be able to communicate and are undergoing interventions that are unfamiliar to them and loved ones. These top ten tips aim to support palliative care clinicians providing consultation in ICUs. Specifically, these tips address initial relationship building with ICU clinicians and teams to foster effective collaboration, establishing goals of care by assessing health-related values, explaining treatment options, individualizing prognostic discussions, and managing end-of-life symptoms for patients while in the ICU and throughout ICU discharge transition.

Why palliative care is more than just end-of-life support MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Dr. Vishal Parackal; 9/1/25 ... Palliative care as a system requires strong interpersonal and cross-specialty communication for smooth functioning, as patients may require expert opinions from different fields to optimize their treatment plan. Patient education for systemic follow-ups and establishing a baseline of knowledge regarding their diagnosis and potential danger signs helps create a better environment for holistic care. While we focus on the physical aspects of care and diagnosis, we often fail to realize the psychological and mental impact that such conditions can have on the patient and their family. ... The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives by easing their suffering and enhancing their quality of life is profoundly fulfilling. ... Editor's Note: Excellent descriptions of palliative care.