Literature Review

Clinician and parent perspectives on essential psychosocial care in pediatric cancerJAMA Pediatrics; by Kimberly S. Canter, Anne E. Kazak, Natalie Koskela-Staples, Michele A. Scialla, Kimberly Buff, Emily Pariseau, Victoria A. Sardi-Brown, Julia B. Tager, Lori Wiener; 10/25The Standards for Psychosocial Care for Children With Cancer and Their Families provide guidelines for evidence-based psychosocial care for children with cancer and their families. The Implementing the Standards Together: Engaging Parents and Providers in Psychosocial Care (iSTEPPP) study extends the standards through innovative collaborative research between clinicians and patient and family advocates, with the goal of widespread clinical implementation of standards that clinicians and parents or caregivers agree to be priorities. The 3 standards prioritized by parents and clinicians in this study offer insight into shared priorities for psychosocial care in pediatric cancer. However, misalignment on other priority standards (parental mental health, palliative care, and neurocognitive monitoring) highlights the differences in perception between parents and clinicians. Areas lacking agreement are a stark reminder of potential challenges when working to meet the holistic needs of children with chronic diseases and their families, as clinicians and parents may not agree on which needs are most important.

Compassionate care, measurable impact: Evaluation of embedded physician-led palliative care in a community oncology practiceJCO Oncology Practice; by Haibei Liu, Jillian Hellmann, Jessica Heintz, Geoffrey Daniel Moorer, Karen Miller; 10/25This analysis indicates that embedding palliative care physicians within a community oncology practice significantly increases hospice enrollment and LOS [length of stay] greater than 3 days. These findings support a cooperative care model as a practical strategy for integrating palliative care physicians into community-based oncology practices to improve patients’ EOL outcomes. 

Affirming healthcare experiences among older Black-and White-identifying gay men living with serious illness: A qualitative study in the Deep SouthAmerican Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Korijna Valenti, Michael Barnett, Stacy Smallwood, Ronit Elk; 10/25Older gay men living with serious illness often face challenges related to identity, disclosure, and relational recognition in healthcare settings [and] these challenges are particularly acute in the Deep South, where affirming care remains inconsistent, and disparities persist. Three main themes were identified [in this study]: (1) Experiences of Inclusion and Visibility, (2) Positive Communication, and (3) Sharing Sexuality and Effect on Care. Clear communication, honesty, and opportunities to ask questions were critical in navigating medical decisions. Discussions of sexual orientation were context-dependent and often shaped by perceptions of safety. Recognition of chosen family members, particularly partners, was central to participants' sense of dignity and affirmation in care.

Live discharges of patients in hospice home settings-Relief or grief: A narrative studyThe American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Jacek T Soroka, Amanda L Paulson-Blom, Alla Blotsky, Jennifer L Derrick, Margaret T Mudroch; 10/25Approximately 20% of hospice patients in the US are discharged alive, often due to Medicare regulations. One of the caregivers described discharge as distressing and poorly coordinated; the other reported a positive experience shaped by prior knowledge and financial resources. Both emphasized the importance of clear communication, care planning (eg, to avoid loss of durable medical equipment), and interdisciplinary support. Live hospice discharge can cause emotional and practical disruption, especially when not accompanied by a care transition plan or access to durable medical equipment. This study highlights the need for team-based communication, sensitivity in language, and continued support. Assistant Editor's note: There can be immense ambivalence among patients and loved ones when one is discharged alive from hospice. Usually, these patients have been with hospice for many months or even years. Perhaps the discharge is viewed as good news-even GREAT news(!) that the patient has "graduated" from hospice. Maybe loved ones will throw a graduation party(!) as it means that the patient is no longer terminally ill (as defined by hospice regulations). On the other hand, some patients/loved ones can become very distraught, wondering how they will get along without having a nurse to call in the middle of the night, without their beloved aide who brightens their day with the TLC of the bath-hair-nail care, and without the support and guidance of their social worker and/or chaplain. Some patients/loved ones will feel angry and abandoned. Best practices dictate that hospices be proactive in discharge planning when the health of their long length-of-stay patients hits a plateau; discharge should never come as a surprise. There should be frequent and ongoing discussions with the patient/loved ones about the potential for live discharge. Discharge planning needs to include: how the patient will get their DME/medical supplies/medications?, who does the loved one call in the middle of the night if there is a medical crisis?, who can provide tangible support and spiritual guidance (if desired)?, and can palliative care ease the transition once hospice has discharged?

Bridging care and support: Social services in hospicePalliative Care and Social Practice; by M. Courtney Hughes, Erin Vernon, Magdalena McKeon, Michelle L. Foster; 10/25 We recently surveyed informal caregivers of hospice patients nationwide who were currently caring for a hospice patient or had cared for one within the prior 2 years about the types of social services they found valuable... [Most frequently mentioned social service categories included: counseling and support groups, personal care assistance, and meals.] The above survey findings and our experience in conducting studies with informal caregivers of hospice patients over the last decade highlight the vital role a variety of social services play as hospice patients and their families navigate the emotional, practical, and logistical challenges that accompany end-of-life care. Services such as counseling, care coordination, resource navigation, and support groups help families cope with the stress, grief, and uncertainty that often arise during this time. Social workers and related professionals provide a bridge between the clinical team and the family, ensuring that the patient’s needs are met while also addressing the well-being of informal caregivers. This holistic approach helps families feel supported as they make decisions that honor their loved one’s wishes.Publisher's note: This article is a result of a survey promoted earlier this year in Hospice & Palliative Care Today, and other sources. Thank you to all who participated!

[UK] Adopting the lens of the COM-B behaviour change model to qualitatively explore and understand public health implications of young adults' attitudes towards death-talkBMC Public Health; by Catrin Morgan-Duggan, Joanna Brooks, Lisa Graham-Wisener, Christine Rowland; 10/25The topic of death and dying holds universal significance, yet societal norms often discourage open discussions, leading to a culture of death-denial. The analysis revealed four key themes which collectively illustrate the complex interplay between individual attitudes and broader cultural influences in shaping how young adults perceive and discuss death and dying. The themes highlighted how internal and external factors affect the ability and willingness of young adults to engage in meaningful discussions about death. Factors such as social stigma, fear of causing distress, and a lack of communication skills were identified as significant barriers. Conversely, the recognition of the importance of death-talk, personal experiences with bereavement, and a supportive social environment were found to facilitate these discussions.

Executive Personnel Changes - 10/31/25

Learning to love fax again, courtesy of AI Forbes - Innovation; by Jeffrey Sullivan; 10/29/25 ... While other industries have moved on to less secure email and messaging platforms, fax still reigns supreme in healthcare. In fact, a majority of healthcare organizations still lean on fax as a primary source of communication, according to a recent survey ... The problem is that while fax is still healthcare’s go-to for sending and receiving information, many organizations haven’t updated their fax processes to adapt to current healthcare workflows that prioritize digital tools like EMRs and patient portals over traditional paper-centric practices.

November healthcare observances

The silent crisis of Gen AI anxiety in the workplace HR Perspectives; by Dr. Gleb Tsipursky; 10/27/25 The conversation about generative AI (Gen AI) is unavoidable in today’s business landscape. It’s disruptive, transformative, and packed with potential—both thrilling and intimidating. As organizations adopt Gen AI to streamline operations, develop products, or enhance customer interactions, the inevitable side effect among employees is anxiety. Will jobs vanish? Will expectations shift overnight? Can they keep up with the learning curve? These questions aren’t just whispers in the break room; they’re front and center for many teams. 

CMS’s Special Focus Facility Program for Nursing Homes has not yielded lasting improvementsOIG press release; 10/29/25This report evaluated the effectiveness of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, the agency’s flagship effort to address quality problems at the nation’s poorest-performing nursing homes. OIG found nearly two-thirds of facilities that graduated from the SFF program between 2013 and 2022 later exhibited recurring quality issues. Among nursing homes that received a serious deficiency in the three years after graduating, 38% put residents at risk of serious injury, harm, impairment or death. For program improvement, OIG recommended that CMS use more nonfinancial remedies, assess enforcement effectiveness—especially for staffing deficiencies—and incorporate ownership data.Publisher's note: It's interesting to see what works - and what doesn't work - from the CMS / OIG perspective.

Coming soon: VITAS Healthcare Hospice care in Pinellas County South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report; by cfelixcpa; 10/29/25 Beginning Nov. 3, residents of Pinellas County will have improved access to quality end-of-life care through VITAS Healthcare, ... VITAS will accept hospice-eligible referrals for patients in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs and surrounding communities. According to research, only 61% of Medicare decedents in Florida access the Medicare Hospice Benefit—meaning many patients and families miss out on the medical, emotional and spiritual support available near the end of life.