Literature Review

‘Moving the mindset’ of equitable hospice accessHospice News; by Holly Vossel; 5/7/26Hospices’ diversity and inclusion efforts have hit several barriers in recent years. Policy reform and more person-centered care integration represent two significant propellants toward improvement. Today’s providers often lack sufficient resources to improve health equity in substantial and sustainable ways, said Dr. Kimberly Curseen, board president for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). Workforce shortages, challenging economic conditions and inefficient reimbursement are among hospices’ greatest challenges, she stated. Hospices need structured community outreach processes that measure cost, outcomes and quality improvements across diverse patient populations, Curseen indicated. Having dedicated health equity resources would go a long way to better understanding the range of both unmet needs and under-reached service regions.

HopeHealth and URI College of Nursing establish academic-practice partnershipThe University of Rhode Island press release; by Izzy Nickel; 5/7/26HopeHealth and the University of Rhode Island College of Nursing have entered into a formal academic-practice partnership aimed at advancing clinical education, training, and professional opportunities in the field of hospice and palliative care... “This partnership reflects where the field of hospice and palliative care is heading,” said Diana Franchitto, president & CEO of HopeHealth. “Caring for people with serious illness calls for a distinct set of skills – helping patients manage symptoms, make informed choices, and focus on what matters most to them. Through our collaboration with the University of Rhode Island College of Nursing, we’re giving students the opportunity to learn that kind of care firsthand and to see the difference it can make in patients’ lives.”

Ohio’s Hospice CEO: prepare for value-based care Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/6/26 In time, value-based care will come to hospices, and they must be ready, according to Kent Anderson, CEO of Ohio’s Hospice. In this environment, scale will be key, as will a need to better understand the needs and objectives of referral partners, Anderson told Hospice News. He also leads Metta Health, a revenue cycle management consulting firm. Ohio’s Hospice is a statewide alliance of nonprofit providers established in 2013. The network leverages its member organizations’ collective size in negotiations with vendors, payers and referral sources, collaborates on back-office functions and shares some expenses and infrastructure.

Mother's Day support for hospice families Hospice & Palliative Care Today; compilation by Joy Berger, Editor in Chief; 5/5/26 Mother’s Day can be tender—and complicated. Without thoughtful support, it can become a day to endure rather than a moment to hold with intention. This compilation offers gentle ways forward for hospice leaders to use or adapt with those they serve—honoring mothers who are still here, tending legacies in real time, and making space for grief when they are not. 

Alliance sounds alarm over federal payment suspensions tactic to fight hospice fraud McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 5/1/26 As the federal government continues to crack down on rampant hospice fraud in California and other states, advocates for the field fear that the government’s latest enforcement effort is unintentionally trapping ethical providers. ... While the government is basing a payment suspension on “a credible allegation of fraud,” the National Alliance for Care at Home worries that the government is using just one metric to justify its “credible allegation.” ... In a post this week, law firm Foley & Lardner LLP CMS defined a “’credible allegation of fraud’ as an allegation of fraud from any source, including but not limited to the following: (1) fraud hotline tips ... verified by further evidence; (2) claims data mining; and (3) patterns identified through provider audits, FCA cases and investigations.”

Why health plans are partnering with palliative care providers McKnights Home Care; by Liza Berger; 4/20/26 In recent months, several major health plans have disclosed deals with palliative care providers. The move mirrors a growing awareness of and appreciation for palliative care — which provides symptom relief, can be used alongside curative care and often takes place in the home — according to experts. In the latest agreement, which is slated to begin June 1, Humana inked a deal with Tuesday Health to deliver palliative care to Humana members with serious illness in Texas. ... The partnership reflects a shift in how palliative care is understood and delivered, Mihir Kamdar, head of clinical delivery for Tuesday Health, told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse in an email.

[New Zealand and Australia] Most palliative care doctors back research into psychedelic medicines for end of life careNews Wire; 4/12/26A survey of palliative care doctors in New Zealand and Australia has found overwhelming support for more research into psychedelic medicines for patients facing terminal illness, adding weight to growing calls for a regulated pathway that would allow clinicians to explore what some researchers describe as transformative treatments. The study, which surveyed 93 palliative care physicians across both countries, found 88 per cent agreed that clinical use of psychedelic medicines for palliative patients warranted further investigation. [The source article referenced is Perceptions of Australasian palliative care physicians regarding the safety and efficacy of psychedelic medicines: An exploratory mixed-methods study; Psychedelics; by Nicholas Sawers, Michael Billingsley, David B. Menkes; 6/1/26.]

Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Nitya Prakash

Sunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!

Enhancing psychosocial care at end of life: A novel simulation training programPalliative & Supportive Care; by Emilia Crnjak, Michelle Kerns, Mariah Stevens, Brianna O'Connell, Lauren Mednick; 4/26Providing psychosocial support to pediatric patients and their families at the end of life represents one of the most challenging yet vital aspects of healthcare practice. This study explored the use of simulation-based training to enhance the self-reported knowledge, skills, and comfort levels of child life specialists in providing psychosocial care during end-of-life situations. Forty-three child life specialists participated in the simulation-based training, which was combined with traditional didactic instruction, and the associated research study. Pre- and post-training surveys were used to assess impact of the training on child life specialists' self-reported knowledge of end-of-life care and comfort in providing this care. A statistically significant increase was seen in all measured aspects of self-reported knowledge and comfort in providing end-of-life care following the training.

Losing a close person to death in ICU: A thematic analysis of bereaved family members' experiences of end-of-life careIntensive and Critical Care Nursing; by Lena Palmryd, Anette Alvariza, Asa Rejno, Tove Godskesen; 6/26This study aims to describe bereaved family members experiences of end-of-life care following the death of a close person in ICU... In ICUs, family members are in great need of compassionate support, characterized by the presence of ICU nurses and their emotionally attuned communication. This support helps family members navigate the complexity in care, fostering trust, meaning-making, and a sense of dignity.