Literature Review
Upskilling and retraining for talent innovation in the AI era
05/19/24 at 03:50 AMUpskilling and retraining for talent innovation in the AI era Tech Trends Post; 5/13/24 According to a report from the IBM Institute for Business Value, more than 60% of executives say generative AI will disrupt the way their organizations design customer and employee experiences. Employees must change to meet these demands. Many are turning to AI upskilling – the act of providing the workforce with the skills and training to use AI to do their jobs. ... A 2024 Gallup poll found that about 25% of workers worry that their jobs could become obsolete due to AI. ... [This article outlines the following:]
Beyond medicine: 'Being Mortal' challenges healthcare's approach to death and dying
05/19/24 at 03:45 AMBeyond medicine: 'Being Mortal' challenges healthcare's approach to death and dying SwiftTelecast; by Shawn Butlere; 5/11/24 This video from the “Frontline” series, titled “Being Mortal,” follows Dr. Atul Gawande as he explores the complex relationships between doctors, patients, and end-of-life decisions. Based on his best-selling book “Being Mortal,” Gawande discusses how medical training often falls short in preparing doctors for the realities of death and dying. The documentary highlights personal stories, including Gawande’s own experiences with his father’s illness and death, to illustrate the challenges in balancing hope with realistic outcomes and the importance of quality life in the face of terminal illness.
Industry professionals reflect on five years of medical marijuana in Arkansas
05/19/24 at 03:40 AMIndustry professionals reflect on five years of medical marijuana in Arkansas Arkansas Advocate; by Mary Hennigan; 5/13/24Since the launch of medical marijuana in Arkansas in 2019, more than three dozen storefronts have opened, at least 102,000 residents have registered for patient cards and revenue has topped $1.1 billion. The latest card count exceeds 102,000, and there’s no indication of a letup in new applications, ... As of June 2023, one in three Arkansans with a patient card listed post-traumatic stress disorder as their qualifying condition, ... The next highest qualifying condition was intractable pain, or pain that has not responded to ordinary medications for more than six months, at nearly 30%.
Addus HomeCare expects 2024 acquisitions
05/19/24 at 03:35 AMAddus HomeCare expects 2024 acquisitions Hospice News; by Jim Parker; 5/7/24Addus HomeCare Corp. is poised for further acquisitions, potentially including some hospice deals. The company is seeking to pair its clinical services with its personal business in its existing markets. This is a cornerstone of its acquisition strategy. But Addus Chairman and CEO Dirk Allison does not rule out the possibility of moving into new markets if circumstances are right. ... When examining new markets, Addus focuses on regions where they can quickly become the largest or second-largest provider by market share, according to CFO Brian Poff. ... Addus’ roughly 33,000 employees provide hospice, home health and private duty nursing services across more than 200 locations in 22 states.
Utah man angry: "Why am I still alive?"
05/19/24 at 03:30 AMUtah man angry: "Why am I still alive?" Cat Country 107.3/94.9; by Andy Griffin; 5/10/24 George Ball (not his real name) is angry. He's dying soon, he knows that. But what he's really mad about is that he's still alive. "I signed the paper. I made the request," he said. "So, why am I still alive?" ... The 72-year-old Utahn recently had a heart attack (cardiac arrest), and was essentially dead for a few minutes before being resuscitated at a Utah hospital. Life-saving measures were taken, including shooting adrenaline into his heart. He was gone, but they brought him back. Happy ending, right? The only problem was, Ball had signed and certified a DNR -- a do not resuscitate order -- so that if he, well, died, heroic measures would not be taken to bring him back to life. ...
At age 99, Jimmy Carter is still exercising his right to vote
05/19/24 at 03:25 AMAt age 99, Jimmy Carter is still exercising his right to vote Story by CNN and Atlanta News First; 5/10/24 Former President Jimmy Carter, age 99, is still exercising his right to vote. Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, said the nation’s 39th president cast a mail-in ballot this week for the May 21 Georgia primary, emphasizing his grandfather is not going to miss an election. The former president entered hospice care more than a year ago in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Since then he celebrated his 99th birthday last October and attended the annual Peanut Festival, which celebrates the region’s cash crop. He also mourned the loss of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who died in November at the age of 96. To date, that has been Jimmy Carter’s last public appearance.
Nurse Practitioner care, scope of practice, and end-of-life outcomes for nursing home residents with dementia
05/19/24 at 03:20 AMNurse Practitioner care, scope of practice, and end-of-life outcomes for nursing home residents with dementia JAMA Health Forum - JAMA Network; by Cyrus M. Kosar, PhD; Bishnu B. Thapa, MPA, PhD; Ulrike Muench, RN, PhD; Christopher Santostefano, RN, MPH; Emily A. Gadbois, PhD; Hyesung Oh, MA, MBA; Pedro L. Gozalo, PhD; Momotazur Rahman, PhD; Elizabeth M. White, APRN, PhD; 5/10/24 Question: Is nurse practitioner (NP) care associated with end-of-life outcomes for nursing home residents with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD), and do these associations differ between states with full vs restrictive NP scope of practice regulations? Findings: The results of this cohort study including 334 ,618 US nursing home residents with ADRD indicated that decedents with greater NP involvement at end of life had fewer hospitalizations and higher hospice use. The adjusted differences in outcomes between decedents with extensive vs minimal NP care were larger in states with full scope of practice regulations than in states with restrictive regulations.
In praise of hospice
05/19/24 at 03:15 AMIn praise of hospiceJAMA; by James R. Nicholas, MD; 4/24In this narrative medicine essay, a retired physician describes the kindness, companionship, and skill of the hospice workers who helped his wife and him prepare for her death. ... Joan did what she wanted to do: she, with the help of hospice, made her dying as easy as possible for me and our children. I have the same wish for myself. I doubt if I will achieve it as well as did Joan, but I will have her as a guide. And I hope I will have the kind of hospice team that Joan had.
Care Synergy appoints Dr. Pradeep Rai as Chief Medical Officer
05/19/24 at 03:10 AMCare Synergy appoints Dr. Pradeep Rai as Chief Medical Officer Care Synergy Network; 5/13/24 Care Synergy announced the selection of Dr. Pradeep Rai, MD, as the company’s chief medical officer. Additionally, Dr. Rai will serve as The Denver Hospice’s (TDH) medical director as well. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rai will lead clinical operations across all of Care Synergy’s hospice, palliative care, and home health affiliates. These affiliates include The Denver Hospice, Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care in Colorado Springs, Pathways Hospice in Fort Collins, and the Colorado Visting Nurses Association (CVNA) which serves patients across the Front Range. He will also spearhead medical operations for Colorado PACE upon its anticipated Q4 2024 launch.
Musician grants dying wish to hospice patient
05/19/24 at 03:05 AMMusician grants dying wish to hospice patient The Platte County Citizen; by Rimsie McConiga; 5/14/24 Jazz musician Stanton Kessler was surprised when he was contacted recently by his friend, a hospice nurse, who reached out to him with an unusual request. A patient at the Kansas City hospice where she works told her his last wish would be to hear his favorite song, ‘Feels So Good’ before he died. During their conversations Kessler’s impression was that this was his friend’s first experience with a request such as this. “There was an element of urgency,” Kessler said. “She said he was near death.” ... An incredibly emotional and rewarding moment followed when Kessler began to play the patient’s beloved song. The man’s eyes remained closed, but his fingers began to move. ...Editor's Note: For research-based, hospice clinical stories, and rich music metaphors for ways to use music with the dying and bereaved, examine the book, Music of the Soul, Chapter 7 "The Final Cadence," in Routledge's international Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement (series edited Robert A. Neimeyer), authored by Joy S. Berger, DMA, FT, BCC, MT-BC (editor for this newsletter).
Retraumatization when an adult child cares for the parent who harmed them through serious illness or the end of life
05/19/24 at 03:00 AMRetraumatization when an adult child cares for the parent who harmed them through serious illness or the end of lifeJournal of Pain and Symptom Management; by Jaime Goldberg, Jooyoung Kong; 5/24Adult children caring for a parent who harmed them through the parent's serious illness or the end of life are at high risk for experiencing retraumatization. This session will offer trauma-informed, culturally responsive, person-centered tools and techniques hospice and palliative care professionals can use to effectively identify, assess, and intervene with this often-overlooked population of caregivers.Publisher's note: This current article summary is for an upcoming AAHPM conference workshop. The study was previously published in JPSM 5/24 here.
Sunday newsletters
05/19/24 at 03:00 AMSunday newsletters focus on headlines and top read stories of the last week (in order) - enjoy!
Today's Encouragement
05/19/24 at 03:00 AMI am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. ~ Angela Davis
Pharmacist interventions in a Palliative PLUS Program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center
05/18/24 at 03:40 AMPharmacist interventions in a Palliative PLUS Program at a Veterans Affairs Medical CenterJournal of Palliative Medicine; by Christy Johny Varghese, Amanda Mueller, Lara Schafer, Reika Ebisu, Vinh Dao, Esther Njau; 3/24Pharmacists made an impact on the PP team through direct patient interventions involving medication counseling and aided the interdisciplinary team by facilitating patient medication adherence.
A survey of Jewish attitudes and experiences relating to end-of-life care and the “right to die”
05/18/24 at 03:35 AMA survey of Jewish attitudes and experiences relating to end-of-life care and the “right to die”American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Christopher M. Moreman, Ayona Chatterjee; 3/24We conducted a survey of Jewish attitudes towards, and experiences with, end-of-life care. Questions fell into three areas: (1) Expectations for Jewish end-of-life care; (2) Experiences with such care; and (3) Attitudes toward the “right to die.” Examining denominational differences in belief in, and adherence to, Halakha (Jewish law), we confirm many expectations described in the literature. We find notable nuances in specific areas of need across Jewish denomination, and in terms of acceptance of the withdrawal of life support vs assisted suicide. Care for the nuances of Jewish belief is indicated for effective and satisfying Jewish end-of-life care.
Depression and suicide among American surgeons - A grave threat to the surgeon workforce
05/18/24 at 03:30 AMDepression and suicide among American surgeons - A grave threat to the surgeon workforceJAMA Surgery; by Tasha M. Hughes, Reagan A. Collins, Carrie E. Cunningham; 1/24The houseofsurgery is faced with an epidemic amid our ranks. Despite priding ourselves on mental and physical toughness that ignores basic physical and psychological needs, mental illness among surgeons is rampant. On the current trajectory, our workforce will continue to suffer in silence, valuable members will leave the field, and our colleagues will continue to die by suicide.
Association between physician age and patterns of end-of-life care among older Americans
05/18/24 at 03:25 AMAssociation between physician age and patterns of end-of-life care among older AmericansJournal of the American Geriatrics Society; by Hiroshi Gotanda, Ryo Ikesu, Anne M. Walling, Jessica J. Zhang, Haiyong Xu, David B. Reuben, Neil S. Wenger, Cheryl L. Damberg, David S. Zingmond, Anupam B. Jena, Nate Gross, Yusuke Tsugawa; 4/15We found that differences in patterns of EOL care between ben-eficiaries cared for by younger and older physicians were small, and thus, notclinically meaningful. Future research is warranted to understand the factorsthat can influence patterns of EOL care provided by physicians, including ini-tial and continuing medical education.
Service provider perspectives on advance care planning use in rural dementia patients and caregivers: A qualitative study
05/18/24 at 03:20 AMService provider perspectives on advance care planning use in rural dementia patients and caregivers: A qualitative studyJournal of Gerontological Social Work; by Peiyuan Zhang, Ebow Nketsiah, Hyunjin Noh; 5/24Advanced care planning (ACP) utilization remains very limited in rural communities compared to urban areas. ACP earlier in the disease trajectory is particularly important for people with dementia (PWD) due to its progressive nature affecting their decision-making ability. Considering the well-documented benefits of ACP in improving the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care, the rural vs. urban disparity may indicate poorer EOL quality for rural PWD. This study aimed to explore barriers and current resources for ACP of PWD from the perspectives of health or social service providers serving rural communities.
Developing, implementing, and evaluating the visiting Neighbors’ program in rural Appalachia: A quality improvement protocol
05/18/24 at 03:15 AMDeveloping, implementing, and evaluating the visiting Neighbors’ program in rural Appalachia: A quality improvement protocolPLoS One; by Ubolrat Piamjariyakul, Susan R. McKenrick, Angel Smothers, Angelo Giolzetti, Helen Melnick, Molly Beaver, Saima Shafique, Kesheng Wang, Kerri J. Carte, Brad Grimes, Marc W. Haut, R. Osvaldo Navia, Julie Hicks Patrick, Kirk Wilhelmsen; 1/24Older adults living alone in rural areas frequently experience health declines, social isolation, and limited access to services. To address these challenges, our medical academic university supported a quality improvement project for developing and evaluating the Visiting Neighbors program in two rural Appalachian counties. Our Visiting Neighbors program trained local volunteers to visit and guide rural older adults in healthy activities. These age-appropriate activities (Mingle, Manage, and Move- 3M's) were designed to improve the functional health of older adults. The program includes four in-home visits and four follow-up telephone calls across three months.
Bereaved respondent perceptions of quality of care by inpatient palliative care utilization in the last month of life
05/18/24 at 03:10 AMBereaved respondent perceptions of quality of care by inpatient palliative care utilization in the last month of lifeJournal of General Internal Medicine; by Enya Zhu, Ellen McCreedy, Joan M. Teno; 5/24Examining the episode of care as the last month of life, hospice at home is associated with higher rating of the quality of care while inpatient palliative care services in hospital, hospice residence, or hospice IPU settings are rated lower.
Top ten tips palliative care clinicians should know about the psychiatric manifestations of nonpsychiatric serious illness and treatments
05/18/24 at 03:05 AMTop ten tips palliative care clinicians should know about the psychiatric manifestations of nonpsychiatric serious illness and treatmentsJournal of Palliative Medicine; Gregg A. Robbins-Welty, Paul A. Riordan, Daniel Shalev, Danielle Chammas, Paul Noufi, Keri O. Brenner, Joshua Briscoe, William E. Rosa, Jason A. Webb; 5/24Mental health issues are widespread and significant among individuals with serious illness. Among patients receiving palliative care, psychiatric comorbidities are common and impact patient quality of life. Despite their prevalence, PC clinicians face challenges in effectively addressing the intricate relationship between medical and psychiatric disorders due to their complex, intertwined and bidirectionally influential nature.
Saturday newsletters
05/18/24 at 03:00 AMSaturday newsletters focus on headlines and research - enjoy!
Today's Encouragement
05/18/24 at 03:00 AMGratitude turns what we have into enough. ~Melody Beattie
End-of-life care of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias
05/18/24 at 03:00 AMEnd-of-life care of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementiasAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Darlon Jan, Kye Y. Kim; 5/24End-of-life (EOL) care has been a common option for patients with terminal medical conditions such as cancers. However, the utilization of EOL care in Alzheimer disease and other dementing conditions have become available relatively recently. As the end-stage dementia approaches, the clinicians and caregivers become faced with numerous clinical challenges—delirium, neuropbehavioral symptoms, the patient’s inability to communicate pain and associated discomfort, food refusal, and so on. In addition to providing quality clinical care to the EOL patients, clinicians should pay special attention to their families, assuring that their loved ones will receive supportive measures to improve quality of life (QOL).
Emerging leaders in hospice and palliative care
05/17/24 at 03:00 AMEmerging leaders in hospice and palliative care AAHPM - American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; webpage source for various press releeases of individuals; 5/24AAHPM developed the Emerging Leaders in Hospice and Palliative Care program to recognize the exceptional work accomplished by the next generation of leaders and bring increased exposure to the specialty of hospice and palliative medicine. In 2014, the first class of Emerging Leaders was named. AAHPM seeks to recognize accomplished early career professionals and the next generation of hospice and palliative care leaders. This award recognizes new Emerging Leaders in recognition of their career accomplishments, involvement in the Academy, mentoring of residents and students, and participation in charitable work. [Click on the title's link for the list of 36 honorees.]Editor's Note: Do you work with or know any of these honorees? If so, please share this with them and your colleagues, along with congratulations from Hospice & Palliative Care Today! (Invite them to register for free--no strings attached--to our daily newsletter.)