Literature Review

High Impact Articles - Core Roles and Responsibilities of Physicians in Hospice Care: A Statement by and for U.S. Hospice and Palliative Care Physicians.Journal of Palliative Medicine, by Ira Byock and on behalf of HPM Physicians Concerned About Hospice Care*. Physicians are integral members of hospice interdisciplinary teams (IDTs). This statement delineates the core roles and responsibilities of hospice medical directors (HMDs) and hospice physicians who are designated by the hospice program to fulfill core HMD responsibilities. In addition, we describe the basic elements of hospice programs' structure and function required for hospice physicians to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. Finally, we call attention to hospice program characteristics and circumstances of the work environment that should raise a hospice physician's concerns that hospice patients and families are at risk of receiving low-quality care.Editor Note: While this was posted in December, we wanted to include it in the inaugural edition, too.

Steven Garner - What he learned about quilting in prisonQuiltFolk Magaine, Issue 28, October 2023Louisiana’s notorious Angola prison is the largest maximum security state prison in the country. But it’s also become known for its hospice program and, to a lesser degree, its prison quilters. Steven Garner was incarcerated at Angola for 31 years and now spends most of his free time building on the quilting skills he learned in prison. He moved to Colorado to be near family, and Quiltfolk visited him at his niece’s house, where he does most of his sewing these days. He shared his current projects and his future dreams.Editor Note: While this article appeared several weeks ago, we wanted to include it in our inaugural newsletter. The link is to the public portion of this article; to read the entire article it's worth purchasing a copy of the magazine. Also, Steven's website is now available: https://www.snt31consulting.com/.

Test Announcement

Offering ‘emotional first aid’ to people in shock over a sudden death

Addressing the Intimacy Needs of Partners of Patients with Terminal CancerInternational Society for Sexual Medicine; 12/26/23A recent study was designed to address the overlooked sexual needs of patients with life-limiting cancers in palliative care. It explored both the physical and psychological elements of intimacy, emphasizing the importance of sexuality support in the palliative phase.

Alabama Aims to Get Medical Marijuana Program Started in 2024Associated Press/U.S. News & World Report; 12/28/23Montgomery, AL—Members of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission said Thursday they are aiming to get the state’s medical marijuana program underway in 2024 after a series of delays and legal disputes. Commissioners voted 7-2 for a motion declaring they have no plans to pause license awards despite ongoing lawsuits and appeals from losing companies.

Hodge PodgeKDLM-AM (Detroit Lakes, MN); 12/28/23Connie DeKrey, grief specialist for Hospice of the Red River Valley, talks about how to move on after a loss, but stressed that everyone deals with loss differently. “New Years has its own set of emotions that are prompted. For instance, families have gathered from a distance, and traveled, and there’s a real anticipation of that. But at some point everyone has to go home again and so that extra support and connection ... it can be a real letdown when everyone has to go back to their own homes. There can be some hesitancy, even dread, about beginning the new year without that loved one. But there might also be a sense of hope or expectancy of something positive.”[Editor’s Note: To listen to the 7-minute interview, click here.]

Year in review, one word, and an exciting announcement for 2024Teleios TCN Talks, by Chris Comeaux; 12/27/23In this TCNtalks podcast episode, host Chris Comeaux delves into a recap of the top podcasts of 2023, covering a diverse array of critical topics such as staffing challenges, Medicare Advantage, future trends, mental and emotional health, and reimagining the future of hospice and palliative care.

‘Medicare Advantage plans are crippling rural hospitals,’ CEO saysModern Healthcare; 12/28/23Delayed Medicare Advantage reimbursement is among the top concerns of rural hospital operators, one of several factors expected to be a drag on rural hospital finances in 2024. Rural hospitals, which tend to run on thinner operating margins than metro-area hospitals, have been hurt by reimbursement cuts, staffing constraints, inflation, the aging population and interest rate hikes.

Lane County home care and hospice workers authorize strike, but hold out hope for future negotiationsKEZI-TV (Eugene, OR); 12/29/23Springfield, OR—PeaceHealth home and hospice care nurses represented by the Oregon Nurses Association voted this week to authorize a strike, but one will not be called immediately. Jo Turner, a hospice nurse and member of ONA’s executive committee at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services, said at a press conference on Friday that a “significant majority” of nurses voted between December 27 and 28 to authorize the strike, but a decision to go on strike is not one that is taken lightly. “We are not calling for a strike—yet,” she said.

Virtual care works best when patients see their own family doctor, study findsNews Release; 12/27/23Toronto, ON—Compared to patients who had a virtual visit with their own family doctor, those who received virtual care from a doctor outside of their family care team were 66 percent more likely to visit the emergency department within seven days, according to new research. The study, led by researchers at the University Health Network, Unity Health Toronto, and ICES, also showed that patients receiving virtual care outside of an existing family doctor-patient relationship were 25 percent more likely to have an in-person visit and 88 percent more likely to have another virtual visit within seven days.

Tidewell Foundation’s Longboat building no longer listed for saleSarasota Observer; 12/28/23The Tidewell Foundation and Empath Health aren’t leaving Longboat Key any time soon. Recently, the organization’s Longboat Key building was listed for sale by Ian Black Real Estate for $3.1 million. But that was an error, according to new information from Empath Health Chief Mission Access Officer Rhonda Sanders-Allamon. The listing is no longer active. Sanders-Allamon said the idea of selling the property has been discussed by the executive board, but nothing was officially voted on.