Literature Review

All posts tagged with “Communication | Families.”



Gaps in the coordination of care for older adults with or at risk for cardiovascular disease

06/06/25 at 03:00 AM

Gaps in the coordination of care for older adults with or at risk for cardiovascular disease The American Journal of Managed Care; by Lisa M. Kern, MD, MPH,Joselyne E. Aucapina,Samprit Banerjee, PhD, Joanna B. Ringel, MPH, Jonathan N. Tobin, PhD, Semhar Fisseha, MPH, Helena Meiri, MA, RN, Madeline R. Sterling, MD, MPH, Kurt C. Stange, MD, PhD, Monika M. Safford, MD, Paul N. Casale, MD, MPH; 6/3/25 ... To determine whether older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or CVD risk factors perceive gaps in communication among their providers and whether they consider those gaps to be consequential, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older with CVD or CVD risk factors and highly fragmented ambulatory care (reversed Bice-Boxerman Index score ≥ 0.85).

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Experts warn of scams during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week

06/05/25 at 03:30 AM

Experts warn of scams during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Public News Service; by Suzanne Potter; 6/4/25 Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion a year to fraud and this year, for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, your local Senior Medicare Patrol has good advice on how to spot a con. There are plenty of scams to be aware of. Karen Joy Fletcher, communications director with the nonprofit California Health Advocates, said beware if a caller asks to verify your Medicare number, claiming the program needs to send out a new type of card. ... ... Caregivers can be on the lookout for medical equipment arriving at the house even though the beneficiary never ordered it. Another red flag? A stranger may approach you in a parking lot asking you to sign up for new, free Medicare services like house cleaning or meals, which are then fraudulently billed to the government. ... Another scam involves tricking people into unknowingly signing up for hospice care. It is especially dangerous, because once a person is on hospice, Medicare will only approve palliative care and could mistakenly deny an essential surgery or medication.

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Hawai'i Pacific University alumni join forces to build a pioneering palliative care team for student excellence

06/05/25 at 03:00 AM

Hawai'i Pacific University alumni join forces to build a pioneering palliative care team for student excellence Special to The 'Ohana - HPU's Daily News, Honolulu, HI; 6/3/25 A group of HPU alumni from the nursing, social work, public health and business administration programs ... will be working towards steering a newly established palliative care team at HPU to assist nursing students, social workers and public health students to play an important role in understanding palliative care, hospice and communication with family and survivors. The team will play a role in setting up clinical placements in the community at St. Francis Palliative Care Units and Hospice, to give our nursing students invaluable hands-on experience in providing compassionate care for patients with serious and life-limiting illnesses. HPU Assistant Professor Joy Bliss, Ph.D., will also be designing simulations for “effective listening and communication skills,” to enhance student’s performance and skills in grief and this specialty of nursing. ... This initiative is not only an opportunity to strengthen the clinical training of nursing students, but also an essential step forward in improving the availability and quality of palliative care in Hawaiʻi. 

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How do you comfort a dying parent?

06/04/25 at 02:00 AM

How do you comfort a dying parent? U.S. News & World Report - WTOP News; 6/1/25 Caring for a parent who is dying can be emotionally taxing. ... Here are ten tips for how to conduct a caring conversation with someone who is dying — and how to know when to sit in silence too.

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Remove barriers that restrict hospice care, Alliance offers in new report

05/30/25 at 02:00 AM

Remove barriers that restrict hospice care, Alliance offers in new report McKnights Home Care; by Adam Healy; 5/28/25 Hospice providers can boost quality and patient satisfaction with a focus on transparent, culturally sensitive communication with clients, according to a new report by the National Alliance for Care at Home. ... For the report, the Alliance surveyed 2,000 adults who either recently experienced the death of a loved one or have been involved in healthcare decisionmaking for a person with a serious illness. Respondents included individuals of a variety of ages, income levels, ethnicities and educational backgrounds. ... . For many seniors, one of the largest barriers to care is ineffective communication, the survey found. Language barriers are a significant hurdle for non-English speaking older adults, particularly those who are first generation immigrants, it noted. Many seniors are also less comfortable with technology-based communication than younger people, and prefer face-to-face conversation over text messages.

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Experts discuss what hospice and palliative care are and how they can help

05/26/25 at 03:00 AM

Experts discuss what hospice and palliative care are and how they can help ideastream public media; by Leigh Barr; 5/21/25Contemplating a life-limiting or life-changing illness or even death can be difficult topics for Americans.  Last year, USA Today conducted a survey which found about 30% of Americans surveyed found it difficult to talk about or even contemplate their own mortality. When it comes to managing serious illness or the final phase of life, surveys show that a majority of Americans say they have at least heard of hospice or palliative care but most admit they may not know a lot about either topic. We're going to talk about both to begin Wednesdays “Sound of Ideas” and try to dispel some of the myths that may surround hospice and palliative care. 

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"You're next": People are sharing the last words they heard someone say as they were dying, and they're not all inspiring

05/26/25 at 03:00 AM

"You're next": People are sharing the last words they heard someone say as they were dying, and they're not all inspiring BuzzFeed; by Mike Spohr; 5/21/25There's so much we don't understand about the end of life. Recently, we shared a post where Quora users shared their experiences being present for the final moments of someone's life...and hearing their last words. Well, as it turns out, BuzzFeed's readers wanted to share their experiences hearing someone's last words too, so we rounded them up here:

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6 ways to successfully implement clinical communication tools

05/20/25 at 03:00 AM

6 ways to successfully implement clinical communication tools Forbes; by Judit Sharon; 5/19/25 In the high-stakes environment of healthcare, communication breakdowns can have life-or-death consequences. Yet too often, hospitals and healthcare systems assume that simply deploying new clinical communication and collaboration (CC&C) tools will solve the problem. The reality is more complex: Successful implementation depends just as much on operational alignment, cultural change and thoughtful execution as it does on the technology itself. To turn communication tools into real transformation, here are six ways to drive successful CC&C adoption.

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What is at-home hospice care and how it works near NYC

05/20/25 at 03:00 AM

What is at-home hospice care and how it works near NYC Medical Device News Magazine; 5/19/25 

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NorthStar Care Community launches 'Life's Big Moments' campaign to initiate nationwide conversation about end-of-life hospice care

05/20/25 at 03:00 AM

NorthStar Care Community launches 'Life's Big Moments' campaign to initiate nationwide conversation about end-of-life hospice care PR Newswire, Ann Arbor, MI; by NorthStar Care Community; 5/19/25 NorthStar Care Community has launched Life's Big Moments, a campaign that celebrates the beauty of life's journey from the big milestones to the small, everyday moments that leave the deepest impact on our well-being and purpose. The campaign aims to initiate conversation and awareness around end-of-life care while also raising money to benefit the members of NorthStar Care Community. Companies, organizations, and individuals are invited to support these efforts throughout the campaign, focusing on recognizing the needs of our Veterans.

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Unintended, percolated work: Overlooked collaborative opportunities during end-of-life care

05/16/25 at 03:00 AM

Exploring overlooked collaborative opportunities during end-of-life care Medical Xpress; by Institute of Science Tokyo; 5/14/25 [This study's researchers describe:] "Bereaved family members broadly recollected the mixed regretful actions and decisions that should have been taken during the end-of-life care process. Coordination and cooperation challenges that existed between health care professionals and family caregivers emerged as factors that impeded these actions at the time." [They identified three types of] unintended, percolated work (UPW). ...

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TCN Podcast: A Whole New Mind with Daniel H. Pink

05/15/25 at 03:00 AM

TCN Video/Podcast: A Whole New Mind with Daniel H. PinkTeleios Collaborative Network (TCN); by Chris Comeaux with Daniel H. Pink; 5/14/25What makes us uniquely human in an age of artificial intelligence? Daniel H. Pink, the bestselling author of A Whole New Mind, offers a compelling framework for thriving in a world where machines increasingly perform tasks once thought exclusively human. In this episode,  Pink, the world-renowned author of seven bestselling nonfiction books, discusses his interdisciplinary approach to understanding human motivation and the evolving work landscape in the AI age. Pink emphasizes the importance of empathy, creativity, and the need for individuals to augment machine intelligence rather than compete with it.  He also explores the role of technology in healthcare, particularly in Hospice Care, and the significance of human connection and listening in providing care.

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Honey, Sweetie, Dearie: The perils of elderspeak

05/14/25 at 03:00 AM

Honey, Sweetie, Dearie: The perils of elderspeakKFF Health News, originally published by The New York Times; by Paula Span; 5/9/25 A prime example of elderspeak: Cindy Smith was visiting her father in his assisted living apartment in Roseville, California. An aide who was trying to induce him to do something —  Smith no longer remembers exactly what — said, “Let me help you, sweetheart.” “He just gave her The Look — under his bushy eyebrows — and said, ‘What, are we getting married?’” recalled Smith, who had a good laugh, she said. Her father was then 92, a retired county planner and a World War II veteran; macular degeneration had reduced the quality of his vision, and he used a walker to get around, but he remained cognitively sharp. People understand almost intuitively what “elderspeak” means. “It’s communication to older adults that sounds like baby talk,” said Clarissa Shaw, a dementia care researcher at the University of Iowa College of Nursing ... “It arises from an ageist assumption of frailty, incompetence, and dependence.” Its elements include inappropriate endearments. “Elderspeak can be controlling, kind of bossy, so to soften that message there’s ‘honey,’ ‘dearie,’ ‘sweetie,’” said Kristine Williams, a nurse gerontologist at the University of Kansas School of Nursing ...

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A daughter’s cautionary elder care tale

05/13/25 at 03:00 AM

A daughter’s cautionary elder care tale The Progressive Magazine - Book Review; by Bill Lueders; 5/12/25 The call that woke Judy Karofsky in the middle of the night on May 18, 2015, was from a hospice nurse, who got right to the point: “I’m calling to tell you that your mother has died.” Karofsky, deeply shaken by the unexpected news, managed to ask, “Did she struggle?” Karofsky’s important new book, DisElderly Conduct: The Flawed Business of Assisted Living and Hospice, does not mention the hospice nurse’s response to this question. But it does note that she called back a moment later to say: “I’m so sorry . . . . I called the wrong number. I’m at a different facility and I had the wrong file.” Karofsky’s mother, Lillian Deutsch, had not died at all. It was someone else’s mother. Apologies were made. This is just one of many stories Karofsky shares throughout the book about the final years of her mother’s life in Wisconsin. This particular anecdote strikes me as noteworthy not just as an example of the sort of awful things that can happen when facilities are understaffed and staff members are overworked, but also because Karofsky’s first reaction was to wonder whether she struggled.Editor's note: Though printed news typically lifts up the good, compassionate moments of hospice care, most all of us have experienced negative accounts--professionally and/or personally. While this book is sure to give significant insights, perhaps the most important lessons are waiting to be validated from your own family caregivers, employees, and volunteers. What stories are behind your lower-than-you-want CAHPS Hospice scores? Dig deeper. May we all listen, learn, and improve care.

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It's time to talk about LGBTQ+ elder care

05/12/25 at 02:15 AM

It's time to talk about LGBTQ+ elder care Psychology Today - Caregiving; by Stephanie Sarazin, M.P.P.; 5/6/25 A once-hidden story is helping us think about queer kinship and caregiving. Key points:

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What not to say to patients with serious illnesses

05/05/25 at 03:00 AM

What not to say to patients with serious illnesses Medscape; by Lambeth Hochwald; 4/30/25 Robert Den, MD, a radiation oncologist in Philadelphia, constantly reminds himself that while he’s in the ‘cancer world’ every minute of the day, his patients aren’t. “As oncologists, we may be meeting with the third patient that day with a newly diagnosed metastatic cancer, but for this individual, this is their first time hearing news like this,” Den told Medscape Medical News. That’s just one reason Den says words matter. ... [He identifies] "Five Things Docs Shouldn't Say" ...

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Preferences for communication about prognosis among children with cancer, parents, and oncologists

05/03/25 at 03:45 AM

Preferences for communication about prognosis among children with cancer, parents, and oncologistsJAMA Network Open; Caroline Christianson, MD; Calliope Reeves; Harmony Farner, MA; Shoshana Mehler, BA; Tara M. Brinkman, PhD; Justin N. Baker, MD; Pamela Hinds, PhD, RN; Jennifer W. Mack, MD, MPH; Erica C. Kaye, MD, MPH; 4/25Should oncologists elicit communication preferences from patients with pediatric cancer and their parents before disclosing prognosis? In this study, patients, parents, and oncologists recommended preemptive elicitation of communication preferences with the goal of improving alignment of prognostic disclosure with patient and caregiver communication needs, thereby enhancing quality of care. These findings demonstrate that patients and caregivers are open to discussing prognostic communication preferences, and that oncologists also recognize the potential value in this communication approach, even as they rarely engage in it. 

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Increasing timely code status discussions in hospitalized children with medical complexity

05/03/25 at 03:40 AM

Increasing timely code status discussions in hospitalized children with medical complexityJournal of Hospital Medicine; James Bowen MD; Laura Brower MD, MSc; Daniel Kadden MD; Jasmine Parker BS; Alexandra Delvalle BSN; Andrew Krueger MD; Kristin Todd MSW; Rachel Peterson MD; 4/25Children with medical complexity (CMC) have an increased risk of hospitalization and clinical deterioration. Documentation of code statuses concordant with family goals is rare, increasing the risk of serious unintended consequences. We aimed to increase the percentage of patients with documentation of timely code status orders (CSOs) from 5% to 80% over 6 months. Multiple plan-do-study-act cycles were performed focusing on interventions aimed at key drivers, including increasing knowledge in performing code status discussions (CSDs) and improving understanding of institutional policies. The average percentage of patients who received a CSO placed in their chart within 72 h of admission to the CCT [complex care team] increased from 5% to 61% over 6 months.

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Breaking with the status quo in end-of-life care through de-implementation

05/03/25 at 03:20 AM

Breaking with the status quo in end-of-life care through de-implementation Journal of Internal Medicine; by Chetna Malhotra and Ellie Bostwick Andres; 4/17/25... In the realm of serious illness, many patients undergo interventions that may marginally prolong life but often sacrifice quality of life and entail significant costs. These interventions, categorized as ‘low-value care’, often involve complex procedures, frequent hospitalizations and intense medical management, leading to considerable discomfort, reduced functional ability and overall decreased well-being and calling into question the efficiency and effectiveness of current end-of-life (EOL) care practices. ... How to conduct de-implementation in EOL contexts:

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Think you know what nursing research looks like? Think again

05/02/25 at 03:00 AM

Think you know what nursing research looks like? Think again Boise State News, Boise, ID; 4/30/25 “Research” doesn’t just mean generating new discoveries through experimentation. Boise State supports Boyer’s model of scholarship, which expands the definition of research and creative activity to include applying and integrating knowledge into other settings, as well as teaching it. ... [An] interdisciplinary team is working to improve hospice and palliative care for refugees. ... Clinicians and refugees often do not share common cultures, languages or communication norms, so [Kate] Doyon has been building a community advisory board to create a communication guide. They’re working with stakeholders–including refugees and providers–to develop prompts that will enhance the care refugees receive, starting on the level of communication. Ornelas said the refugees they interviewed “gave us a lot of insight on different cultures and how we can go about and make prompts.” The prompts are short phrases to remind the healthcare team of best ways to interact with refugees and productively approach conversations.

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From stigma to support: Changing the cancer conversation

05/01/25 at 03:00 AM

From stigma to support: Changing the cancer conversation Oncology Nursing Society (ONS); by Anne Snively, MBA, CAE; 4/29/25 Certain treatments (palliative care, opioids) and diagnoses (lung cancer) are more prone to association with cancer-related stigma. Nurses can play a vital role in reframing these thoughts and promoting empathy. ... Caner-related stigma has wide-reaching effects across the care continuum, including poorer patient outcomes. ...

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Small acts of kindness can change someone’s world

05/01/25 at 03:00 AM

Small acts of kindness can change someone’s world MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by Jake Rattner; 4/26/25 So much of the world is centered around looking out for ourselves. We get caught up in our own problems, our own routines, and sometimes, we forget to stop and think about what someone else might be going through. ... But when we step outside of our own lives, even just for a moment, we start to see the bigger picture. ... In the end, it’s the simple things that matter. A conversation, a smile, a moment of recognition—these things can change someone’s entire day, even if you don’t realize it. ... Because sometimes, the best medicine isn’t even medicine—it’s just knowing that someone cares.

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5 things every leader can learn from Pope Francis

04/30/25 at 03:00 AM

5 things every leader can learn from Pope Francis  Inc., by Suzanne Lucas; 4/21/25 He led the world’s largest organization with humility and a willingness to engage with different groups and hear different viewpoints. ...  [Pope Francis' death marks] the end of a papacy that influenced far more than just the Catholic Church. In his 12 years as pope, he led with a style that offers enduring leadership lessons for anyone in a position of authority, especially in business. ... While I’m not Catholic, I have followed his work in the 12 years he’s served as pope, and there are plenty of things you can learn about his leadership of the Catholic Church and apply in your life and business.

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Prayer for patients? Readers and ethicists respond

04/29/25 at 03:00 AM

Prayer for patients? Readers and ethicists respondMedscape; by Alicia Ault; 4/24/25 ... In a recent Medscape column, Andrew N. Wilner, MD, related the story of a physician offering to pray for his wife at the conclusion of a routine visit. She had no previous relationship with the clinician and only a minor complaint. Wilner found the physician’s action disturbing and wrote in his column that while there might be situations where prayer would be appropriate, his wife’s visit did not fit in that category. Some readers took issue with Wilner’s response. ... He thinks there are a lot of considerations to weigh before a doctor should ask. “Prayer is very personal, and religious beliefs are very, very personal,” said Wilner, adding that “For some people, they’re profound.” Others might be agnostic, and it is not likely possible to know all of this if there is no prior patient-doctor relationship, said Wilner.

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Why are we so afraid to talk about our own death?

04/29/25 at 03:00 AM

Why are we so afraid to talk about our own death? Deseret News; by Holly Richardson; 4/21/25 We are more than comfortable with true-crime and first-person shooter games, but a lot of us do not want to talk about our own mortality. ... ... A whopping 84% of the U.S. population over age 13 ... consumes true crime media, according to Edison Research. It’s the most common topic among top-ranked podcasts. First-person shooter video games are the most popular genre. ... So why is it so hard to talk about our own mortality? Maybe we think we can live forever. ... A survey done last year explored reasons why people are uncomfortable talking about death. The top reason given (37%) was that people did not want to upset others, and the second (34%) was that it is too depressing to think about. About one in five say they’ll “cross that bridge when they come to it” or that they are afraid of dying. Ten percent are afraid that talking about death will somehow make it more likely to happen.Editor's note: While this data gives insights into communication with patients and families, Advance Directives, and community outreach, I find myself reflecting those of us who have chosen palliative, hospice, and/or grief care as our vocations. Do we protect ourselves from facing our own mortality by staying in "helper" roles, and avoiding our own human vulnerabilities? What conversations have you had with your family? What Advance Directives and legal plans do you have in place (or not)? 

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