Literature Review

Study testing new strategy for spotting, managing pain in dementia patients McKnights Long-Term Care News, by Kimberly Marselas; 2/1/24Up to 80% of dementia patients living in nursing homes also experience pain, but many struggle to communicate their symptoms. A new, $2.1 million study aims to test recently revised guidelines for staff members tasked with detecting and managing that pain. ... Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, professor and associate dean for research at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, will lead the project at 12 nursing homes over the next five years.

Coming to terms : Female veterans' experience of serious illnessJournal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, by Varilek, Brandon M. PhD, RN, PCCN-K, CCTC, CNE, CHPN; Varilek, Brandon M. PhD, RN, PCCN-K, CCTC, CNE, CHPN; Isaacson, Mary J. PhD, RN, RHNC, CHPN, FPCN; 1/16/24Female veteran populations are growing internationally and are more likely than men to develop certain serious illnesses, including some cancers. In the United States, fewer than 50% of eligible female veterans sought care at Veteran Affairs facilities. In addition, female veterans are not well represented within palliative care research, and little research exists that explores the female veteran experience of living with a serious illness. The purpose of this study was to explore female veterans' experiences of living with a serious illness.

Family caregiver communication and perceptions of involvement in hospice careJournal of Palliative Medicine, by Archana Bharadwaj, Debra Parker Oliver, Karla T. Washington, Jacquelyn Benson, Kyle Pitzer, Patrick White, George Demiris; 1/24/24The burden of caregiving for family members is significant and becomes particularly challenging at end of life, with negative effects on mental health, including anxiety and depression. Research has shown caregivers need better communication with their health care team. Caregiver-centered communication was positively associated with perceptions of involvement in care.

Cost and utilization implications of a health plan's home-based palliative care programJournal of Palliative Medicine, by Kimberly A. Bower, Jenelle Hallock, Xiaoli Li, Tyler Kent, Liane Wardlow; 1/25/24A California-based health plan offered home-based palliative care (HBPC) to members who needed support at home but did not yet qualify for hospice. Although individuals in both groups were living with serious illnesses for which worsening health and increased acute care utilization are expected over time, both groups had reduced acute care utilization and costs during the study period compared with the prestudy period. Reduced utilization and costs were equivalent for both groups.

Health care contact days among older adults in Traditional MedicareAnnals of Internal Medicine, by Ishani Ganguli, MD, MPH; Emma D. Chant, PhD; E. John Orav, PhD; Ateev Mehrotra, MD, MPH; Christine S. Ritchie, MD, MSPH; 1/23/24Days spent obtaining health care outside the home can represent not only access to needed care but also substantial time, effort, and cost, especially for older adults and their care partners. Yet, these “health care contact days” have not been characterized. On average, older adults spent 3 weeks in the year getting care outside the home. These contact days were mostly ambulatory and varied widely not only by number of chronic conditions but also by sociodemographic factors, geography, and care-seeking behaviors.Publisher's note: Also see Healthcare contact days among older adults living with dementia.

New UMass Chan patient communication training simulation program receives funding via Catalyst AwardUMass Chan News, by Pat Sargent; 1/29/24The program, “Apology and Disclosure: Developing Competency for Patient Safety and Equity,” is led by Stacy E. Potts, MD, MEd, professor of family medicine & community health and senior associate dean for graduate medical education and clinical affairs; and Sunita Puri, MD, MS, associate professor of medicine and program director of the hospice and palliative medicine fellowship.  ... The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Catalyst Award is for $50,000 over one year.

Criteria for enrollment of patients with COPD in palliative care trials: A systematic reviewJ Pain Symptom Manage, by Natalia Smirnova, Allison V Lange, Amanda Glickman, Kristen Desanto, Cara L McDermott , Donald R Sullivan, David B Bekelman, Dio Kavalieratos; 1/25/24Context: Use of palliative care interventions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increased in recent years and inclusion criteria used to identify patients with COPD appropriate for palliative care vary widely. We evaluated the inclusion criteria to identify ways to improve enrollment opportunities for patients with COPD.

Engaging forensic psychiatry patients in health-care decision makingThe Lancet - Psychiatry, by Junqiang Zhao, Helen Bolshaw-Walker, N Zoe Hilton; 1/15/24The forensic psychiatric system is a pivotal intersection between the criminal justice and psychiatry systems. When individuals commit criminal acts and are found not criminally responsible for their actions due to mental illness, or unfit to stand trial, they often receive psychiatric care in specialised hospitals or units. The aim of these facilities is not punitive, but restorative—to promote the recovery and successful reintegration of patients into communities.

Chatbot performance in defining and differentiating palliative care, supportive care, hospice careJ Pain Symptom Manage, by Min Ji Kim, Sonal Admane, Yuchieh Kathryn Chang, Kao-Swi Karina Shih, Akhila Reddy, Michael Tang, Maxine De La Cruz, Terry Pham Taylor, Eduardo Bruera, David Hui; 1/24We evaluated the accuracy, comprehensiveness, reliability, and readability of three AI platforms in defining and differentiating "palliative care," "supportive care," and "hospice care." We identified important concerns regarding the accuracy, comprehensiveness, reliability, and readability of outputs from AI platforms.

Early and often: Promoting early integration of pediatric palliative care for seriously ill children with cancerCurr Probl Cancer, by Sara Taub, Robert Macauley; 10/23Pediatric palliative care, despite substantial overlap with its adult counterpart, is also distinct in some ways. Serious illness and comorbidities are less common in children, for whom there is a stronger presumption toward aggressive treatment. This, along with impressive cure rates for pediatric cancer, can help explain why children typically survive for a longer period of time following initial palliative care consultation. ... Several barriers to early integration exist, however, including misperceptions that palliative care constitutes "giving up" and concerns about potential role confusion with the primary team. By directly addressing these misperceptions and challenges, it is possible for palliative care and oncology to work in constructive partnerships that will benefit children with cancer and their families.

Top read articles: Quality versus quantity of life: Beyond the dichotomyPalliative Medicine Reports, by Ariel Dempsey, John Mulder; 3/23A restrictive and dichotomous question has become the primary approach in many goals of care discussions. Is the primary goal of care quantity of life through aggressive therapy or quality of life through comfort care and hospice?Publisher note: While a little dated, this was part of a "top read in 2023" email.