Literature Review

Implementing palliative care in nursing homes: A podcast with Connie Cole, Kathleen Unroe, and Cari LevyGeriPal podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith; 6/5/25The need for better palliative care in nursing homes is significant. Consider this: the majority of the 1.4 million adults residing in U.S. nursing homes grapple with serious illnesses, and roughly half experience dementia. Many also suffer from distressing symptoms like pain. In addition, about 25% of all deaths in the United States occur within these facilities. Despite these substantial needs, specialized palliative care beyond hospice is rare in nursing homes. Furthermore, only about half of nursing home residents nearing the end of life receive hospice care. So, how can we improve palliative care for individuals in nursing homes? Today’s podcast explores this crucial question with three leading experts: Connie Cole, Kathleen Unroe, and Cari Levy.

Who Cares podcast: The future of aging in AmericaNational Alliance for Care at Home podcast; by Steve Landers and Elyssa Katz; 5/30/25The first episode of the Who Cares podcast is out now! Join hosts Dr. Steve Landers and Elyssa Katz as they dive into the future of aging in America and set the scene for the wide-ranging conversations that will follow.[Membership may be required to access the podcast from this link; it may be available using other services.]

Tell us more: The Palliative Care Oral History Project Journal of Palliative Medicine; by Richard E. Leiter, Yilong Peng, and William E. Rosa; 5/19/25 As palliative specialists, we have a unique appreciation for the power of oral tradition—the stories of healing and suffering, challenge and accomplishment, and meaning and purpose that can be honored between us in safe and inclusive spaces. To this end, we take great pride in launching a new Journal of Palliative Medicine (JPM) podcast series, “Tell Us More: The Palliative Care Oral History Project.” Each month, we will sit down with a pivotal leader from Hospice and Palliative Care (HAPC) and do what our field does best—ask questions, listen, and reflect. Through our podcast, we’ll seek to understand the complexities and nuance behind our established practices and processes. Our interviews will be with pioneers from across HAPC’s professions and around the world. 

Navigating the Future: HOPE, Wage Index, and CMS Quality Measures Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN; podcast by Chris Comeaux with Annette Kiser and Judi Lund Person; 5/21/25 What happens when ancient philosophical questions about "the good life" collide with modern healthcare regulations?  In this compelling episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux welcomes Hospice leaders Annette Kiser, Chief Compliance Officer with Teleios, and Judi Lund Person, Principal, Lund Person & Associates LLC,  for a deep dive into the regulatory crossroads facing hospice providers. In this episode,  we discuss the FY 2026 Proposed Rule, which focused on implementing the HOPE initiative, and two RFIs (Requests for Information) that were part of it. 

The future of dying with Dr. Ira Byock | Pop 1205 Practice of the Practice; podcast by Joe Sanok with Dr. Ira Byock; 5/14/25 How can we embrace conversations about death and dying? What is the healing power of forgiveness and connection in end-of-life care? When we face morality, how can we transform fear into meaningful connections? In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks about the future of dying with Dr. Ira Byock. .. In this podcast: 

Psilocybin in serious illness: James Downar, Ali John Zarrabi and Margaret RossGeriPal podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith, James Downar, Ali John Zarrabi, Margaret Ross; 5/8/25We’ve covered psychedelics on the podcast before — first in 2019 with Ira Byock, where we explored their potential role in medicine, and then again in 2023 with Stacy Fischer, Brian Anderson, and Theora Cimino, focusing on the reasons to approach psychedelic use in patients with caution. In today’s episode, we’re taking a closer look at the current state of the science around one specific psychedelic: psilocybin. We’ll discuss three recent clinical trials involving patients with serious illness, joined by our guests James Downar, Ali John Zarrabi, and Margaret Ross.

HIV, aging, and palliative care: Peter Selwyn and Meredith GreeneGeriPal Podcast; by Eric Widera, Alex Smith; 5/1/25Peter Selwyn, one of today’s guests, has been caring for people living with HIV for over 40 years. In that time, care of people with HIV has changed dramatically. Initially, there was no treatment, then treatments with marginal efficacy, complex schedules, and a tremendous burden of side effects and drug-drug interactions. The average age at death was in the 30s. Now, more people in the US die with HIV rather than from HIV. Treatment regimens are simplified, and the anti-viral drugs are well tolerated. People are living with HIV into advanced ages. The average age at death is likely in the 60s. Nearly half of people living with HIV are over age 55. One in 10 people with newly diagnosed HIV is an older adult. Our second guest, Meredith Greene, is a geriatrician and researcher who focuses on care of older adults living with HIV, in the US and Africa.

Practical advice for physicians seeking joy and well-being [podcast] MedPageToday's KevinMD.com; by KevinMD; 4/27/25 Palliative care physician and author Alen Voskanian discusses his article, “Discover the secrets to regaining joy in medicine,” based on an excerpt from his book. Drawing from his personal experience with burnout where he felt isolated and like a failure within the demanding medical industry, Alen strongly emphasizes that burnout is a common result of a broken health care system, not an individual failing. He offers key advice points for physicians and health care workers:  ...

Meet Herbie: Your organization's million-dollar constraint with Dr. Lisa Lang Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Dr. Lisa Lang; 4/23/25 Ever wonder why your organization keeps hitting the same wall despite constant improvement efforts?  Dr. Lisa Lang, a world-renowned expert in the Theory of Constraints, reveals why most leaders waste resources by focusing on the wrong problems. Dr. Lisa Lang and Chris Comeaux examine the application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) in various industries, with a particular focus on healthcare and manufacturing.  They discuss the unique challenges faced by healthcare leaders, including regulatory pressures and staffing shortages, and how TOC can provide a structured approach to problem-solving and how to create breakthrough solutions for your organization. 

Join Rebecca Ramsey and Chris Comeaux in exploring the future of home care Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux with Rebecca Ramsey; 4/16/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Rebecca Ramsay, CEO of Housecall Providers.  Rebecca shares her unique journey in healthcare and emphasizes the importance of nonprofit organizations in delivering quality care. Rebecca discusses the evolution of Housecall Providers, the significance of home-based primary care, and the interdisciplinary approach required to meet the needs of patients with complex conditions. She also advocates for Hospice organizations to expand into home-based primary care, highlighting the growing demand and the gaps in current services.  Chris and Rebecca explore the challenges of maintaining a stable workforce, the complexities of payment structures, and the importance of a steady referral stream for viable home-based primary care.  

Transforming communities through leadership with Quint StuderTeleios Anatomy of Leadership podcast; by Chris Comeaux, Quint Studer; 4/9/25In this episode, Chris sits down with Quint Studer, Founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group and one of his most trusted mentors, to dive deep into the transformation of Pensacola, Florida. Quint reveals his powerful framework for community change, sharing essential leadership insights and the challenges of driving real transformation.

Transforming healthcare:  Hospice in the news, March 2025  Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); pod/videocast by Chris Comeaux with Cordt Kassner; 4/2/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux and Dr. Cordt Kassner, Publisher of Hospice & Palliative Care Today and CEO and Founder of Hospice Analytics, leverage their data and extensive experience to identify key Hospice headlines, articles, research, and social media posts that are driving change and transforming end-of-life care and healthcare in America. They share personal experiences with hospice care, emphasizing the importance of social work and discussing the challenges of healthcare reimbursement.  The conversation also touches on MedPAC recommendations, new social media trends, and highlights from recent research articles. 

The Healing of America with T.R. Reid TCNtalks Podcast; podcast by Chris Comeaux with T.R. Reid; 3/26/25 In this episode of TCN Talks, host Chris Comeaux interviews NY Times bestselling author T. R. Reid.  They discuss T. R. Reid’s experiences and insights from researching healthcare systems around the world, particularly focusing on the need for universal coverage and the various models of healthcare delivery. ... This is a great listen as the U.S. spends more on healthcare, yet we are not even in the top 10 in the world.  It’s hard to make one aspect of healthcare successful, like Hospice and Palliative Care, if the broader ecosystem it resides in is flawed and unsustainable.  Join us; this is very timely.