Literature Review
All posts tagged with “Clinical News | Physician & Nursing News.”
From stigma to support: Changing the cancer conversation
05/01/25 at 03:00 AMFrom stigma to support: Changing the cancer conversation Oncology Nursing Society (ONS); by Anne Snively, MBA, CAE; 4/29/25 Certain treatments (palliative care, opioids) and diagnoses (lung cancer) are more prone to association with cancer-related stigma. Nurses can play a vital role in reframing these thoughts and promoting empathy. ... Caner-related stigma has wide-reaching effects across the care continuum, including poorer patient outcomes. ...
Dr. Drabek's "The Comfortologist" hits #1 bestseller, revolutionizing pain management & end-of-life care approaches
05/01/25 at 03:00 AMDr. Drabek's "The Comfortologist" hits #1 bestseller, revolutionizing pain management & end-of-life care approaches Classic 96.7 FM BWZ, Yukon, OK; Press Release; 4/28/25 Dr. Steven Drabek's groundbreaking memoir, "The Comfortologist: A Physician's Empathetic Perspective on Compassion, Caring, and Pain Relief," has achieved #1 bestseller status, resonating deeply with healthcare professionals, chronic pain patients, and families navigating end-of-life care decisions. Drawing from his four-decade career and personal journey as a cancer survivor and chronic pain patient, Dr. Drabek offers readers a unique dual perspective that has earned him recognition as a "comfortologist" a term he coined to describe his approach to medicine that prioritizes patient comfort and dignity. "My experience as both physician and patient taught me that modern medicine often misses what matters most," says Dr. Drabek. "Technical expertise means little without empathy. We must treat the whole person, not just the symptoms."
[Canada] Hospice placements provide nursing students new perspectives
04/30/25 at 03:00 AM[Canada] Hospice placements provide nursing students new perspectives BarrieToday.com; by Marg Bruineman; 4/26/24 As Georgian College works toward having its first graduating class in its bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) degree program next year, students are moving into practical placements in health care. Among them is a new opportunity to explore opportunities in hospice and end-of-life care – a field that continues to develop to meet the needs of an aging population. ... The response from the hospice community, she says, was encouraging. Georgian now has agreements with all nine hospices in the Simcoe-Muskoka-York area that were approached, including hospices in Vaughan and Richmond Hill. The students work onsite for 72 hours over three weeks allowing them to immerse themselves into the setting.
Prayer for patients? Readers and ethicists respond
04/29/25 at 03:00 AMPrayer for patients? Readers and ethicists respondMedscape; by Alicia Ault; 4/24/25 ... In a recent Medscape column, Andrew N. Wilner, MD, related the story of a physician offering to pray for his wife at the conclusion of a routine visit. She had no previous relationship with the clinician and only a minor complaint. Wilner found the physician’s action disturbing and wrote in his column that while there might be situations where prayer would be appropriate, his wife’s visit did not fit in that category. Some readers took issue with Wilner’s response. ... He thinks there are a lot of considerations to weigh before a doctor should ask. “Prayer is very personal, and religious beliefs are very, very personal,” said Wilner, adding that “For some people, they’re profound.” Others might be agnostic, and it is not likely possible to know all of this if there is no prior patient-doctor relationship, said Wilner.
Practical advice for physicians seeking joy and well-being [podcast]
04/29/25 at 02:30 AMPractical 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: ...
Professor teaches student physicians how to use art to connect with end-of-life patients
04/28/25 at 03:00 AMProfessor teaches student physicians how to use art to connect with end-of-life patients Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Moultrie, GA; by Staff Reports; 4/23/25Richard Curtis of Thomasville teaches art classes at Thomas University, but he’s also an end-of-life doula who volunteers with patients through Archbold Hospice, integrating his artistic skills into his volunteer work. Earlier this month, Curtis showcased his blend of art, medical care, and human interaction during a session of the Medical Humanities course at PCOM South Georgia. Led by faculty member Thomas Last, PhD, the course aims to help student physicians transcend the science of medicine. “The Medical Humanities course supports students’ growth into humanistic, socially conscious physicians by providing reflective opportunities and meaningful experiences that deepen their understanding of diverse patient perspectives,” Dr. Last said.Editor's note: Do you dismiss this? Does it seem too "out there"? For stronger context, Sandra Bertman, PhD, FT pioneered Arts Medicine with medical students and other healthcare clinicians. For most of her career, Bertman was Professor of Humanities in Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Graduate School of Nursing, where she founded and directed the Program of Medical Humanities and Arts in Healthcare. (More personally, I've been blessed to know Sandra as my colleague and friend.) Dr. Bertman was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Social Justice (2018). Her primary publications include ...
40% of nurses eye exit by 2029: 5 findings from NCSBN’s new workforce report
04/28/25 at 03:00 AM40% of nurses eye exit by 2029: 5 findings from NCSBN’s new workforce report Becker's Hospital Review; by Erica Carbajal; 4/27/25While the post-pandemic nursing workforce is showing signs of stabilizing, high levels of burnout, stress and dissatisfaction continue to threaten long-term workforce stability, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s biennial 2024 National Workforce Study. The report surveyed more than 800,000 nurses in the U.S. and is considered the largest, most comprehensive report on the state of the nursing workforce. ...
Calibrating AI reliance—A physician’s superhuman dilemma
04/26/25 at 03:45 AMCalibrating AI reliance—A physician’s superhuman dilemmaJAMA Health Forum; Shefali V. Patil, PhD; Christopher G. Myers, PhD; Yemeng Lu-Myers, MD, MPH; 3/25Assistive artificial intelligence (AI) technologies hold significant promise for transforming health care by aiding physicians in diagnosing, managing, and treating patients. Leveraging AI’s superior diagnostic accuracy in certain specialties, these assistive AI systems aim to reduce medical errors, while also promising to address physician fatigue by alleviating cognitive load and time pressures. Because human operators are perceived as having control over the technology’s use, responsibility unduly shifts to the human operator, even when clear evidence shows that the AI system produces erroneous outputs. Consequently, although scholars have proposed recommendations for shaping AI regulations, the reality is that in the absence of clear policies or established legal standards, future liability will largely hinge on societal perceptions of blameworthiness. This regulatory gap imposes an immense, almost superhuman, burden on physicians: they are expected to rely on AI to minimize medical errors, yet bear responsibility for determining when to override or defer to these systems.
[Switzerland] Comforting styles of serious illness conversations: a Swiss wide factorial survey study
04/26/25 at 03:05 AM[Switzerland] Comforting styles of serious illness conversations: a Swiss wide factorial survey studyBMC Medicine; by Robert Staeck, Carsten Sauer, Steven M. Asch & Sofia C. Zambrano; 4/14/25 Background: Serious illness conversations can cause discomfort in patients, potentially impeding their understanding and decision-making. Identifying ways in which physicians can reduce this discomfort may improve care. This study investigates which physician communication styles and characteristics individuals perceive as comforting in physician–patient serious illness conversations. ... Methods: We conducted a nationwide online factorial survey in German, French, and Italian with 1572 Swiss participants from the public (51.4% women) aged 16 to 94. ...Conclusions: Taking time, providing clear information, and ensuring continuity of care are pivotal in enhancing comfort. Also relevant are the expression of sadness, physician self-disclosure, and a prior relationship with the patient.
CMS releases HOPE Guidance Manual (V. 1.01) and Tables
04/25/25 at 03:00 AMCMS releases HOPE Guidance Manual (V. 1.01) and TablesCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); by CMS; 4/22/25On April 22, 2025, CMS released the HOPE Guidance Manual (V. 1.01) and connected tables. Providers can use v1.01 for HOPE planning, as this is considered final before HOPE implementation. Also note that earlier this month, the final HOPE data specs have also been released, helping software developers to finalize their HOPE software for testing in the coming months.
I’m a hospice physician. There’s one thing I dread telling my patients.
04/24/25 at 03:00 AMI’m a hospice physician. There’s one thing I dread telling my patients. Slate; by Charlotte Grinberg; 4/22/25 Tom was dying, and managing his condition at home was increasingly difficult. ... His wife Sue was in survival mode. A few sleepless nights turned into weeks without rest, during which she was constantly trying to manage Tom’s symptoms and take care of his basic needs. I’m a hospice physician, and it’s at junctures like this that I can offer a life vest that completely changes the end-of-life experience. ... I told Sue that I thought Tom should transfer to our inpatient hospice facility. “You have done everything possible for Tom at home, it’s too much to ask of you or anybody,” I said. “He needs a higher level of care.” ... Getting a devoted spouse to agree to move their dying partner out of the home isn’t always easy. But a few days after Tom arrived at the inpatient hospice facility, Sue cried tears of appreciation describing the daily baths the caretakers there gave him.
Special team at Norton Children's Hospital focused on giving the gift of life
04/23/25 at 03:00 AMSpecial team at Norton Children's Hospital focused on giving the gift of life CBS WLKY-32, Louisville, KY; by Jennifer Baileys; 4/21/25 Caring for sick and dying children is a tough and heartbreaking job. One special group at Norton Children's Hospital is focused on helping these children and their families. ... "She's missing the left side of her heart," Kindra Edwards, patient mother, said. ... Edwards said there was one consistent source of strength and encouragement the Norton Pediatric Support Team. "They're always there. You know, coming in, checking on us when in our multiple stays at the hospital," Edwards said. The team is made up of pediatric and palliative care specialists, nurses, social services, therapist and pastoral care. ... [Through two decades,] pediatric palliative care has evolved. At Norton Children's Hospital it has grown into a team of almost a dozen people, specializing in not just treating, but caring for the sickest patients and their families.
Why leadership training is the next big thing in RN to BSN programs
04/23/25 at 03:00 AMWhy leadership training is the next big thing in RN to BSN programs Nevada State University; by RN to BSN; 4/22/25 The role of registered nurses (RNs) has expanded far beyond traditional bedside care. Today’s nurses are expected to navigate complex systems, coordinate interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to decision-making at all levels of care. In response, degree programs like the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are placing a stronger emphasis on leadership training — equipping nurses with the tools they need to guide teams, manage change, and improve patient outcomes. This shift reflects a growing recognition that leadership is not reserved exclusively for executives or administrators. Nurses at every level are uniquely positioned to influence clinical practice, shape policy, and advocate for their patients.
The intersection of dignity and healing with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov
04/23/25 at 02:45 AMThe intersection of dignity and healing with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov Practice of the Practice; podcast by Jo Sanok with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov; 4/22/25 How can we ensure dignity in end-of-life care? What does every therapist need to know about actively incorporating dignity into therapeutic care for their clients? What is the procedure for a practical application of dignity in therapy and healthcare? In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok discusses the intersection of dignity and healing with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov.
[UK] I’m a palliative care nurse – here’s how I find joy
04/22/25 at 03:00 AM[UK] I’m a palliative care nurse – here’s how I find joy MSN - i Paper, United Kingdom; by Joanna Whitehead; 4/19/25 Palliative care nurse and ward manager Sophie Brew works at a Sue Ryder Hospice, supporting people with terminal illnesses to live as fully and comfortably as possible. While some may regard the role as bleak or upsetting, Ms. Brew considers her job to be deeply meaningful, and a privilege. She tells The i Paper how she finds joy in the everyday.
Jury convicts home health agency executive of fixing wages and fraudulently concealing criminal investigation
04/22/25 at 03:00 AMJury convicts home health agency executive of fixing wages and fraudulently concealing criminal investigation U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Public Affairs; Press Release; 4/14/25 A federal jury convicted a Nevada man today for participating in a three-year conspiracy to fix the wages for home healthcare nurses in Las Vegas and for fraudulently failing to disclose the criminal antitrust investigation during the sale of his home healthcare staffing company. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Eduardo “Eddie” Lopez of Las Vegas, Nevada conspired to artificially cap the wages of home healthcare nurses in the Las Vegas area between March 2016 and May 2019. The three-year conspiracy affected the wages of hundreds of Las Vegas registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who provide care to patients in their homes. During the pendency of the government’s investigation, Lopez then sold his home healthcare staffing company for over $10 million while fraudulently concealing the government’s criminal investigation from the buyer.
What healthcare leaders can learn from palliative medicine
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMWhat healthcare leaders can learn from palliative medicine Becker's Hospital Review; by Elizabeth Gregerson; 4/18/25 The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in March appointed Kristina Newport, MD, as chief medical officer for the organization. Dr. Newport currently serves as chief of palliative care for Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health. She recently spoke with Becker’s about her priorities as AAHPM’s new CMO, as well as the role palliative care can play in oncology.Question: Congratulations on your appointment, what are your top priorities in this new role?Dr. Kristina Newport: Thank you. It’s really a privilege to be in this role and give back to the organization that raised me up. I’ve been a member of the Academy since 2007 when I was a medical resident, so the academy really has guided my career. One of my first priorities is to understand our members’ needs. ... My second priority is developing and strengthening the relationships we have with other organizations who share our mission. ... [The] foundations of palliative care are to prioritize what matters to patients and address the whole person through human connections and relationships. We have strong evidence in the literature that says when we do that well, we decrease non-beneficial treatment and improve the patient’s well-being, as well as the well-being of people that care for them. At the same time, we decrease unnecessary costs in the healthcare system while improving healthcare worker satisfaction.
Statement by the American Nurses Association on the importance of nursing specific science and research and the leaked FY 2026 HHS Budget Proposal
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMStatement by the American Nurses Association on the importance of nursing specific science and research and the leaked FY 2026 HHS Budget Proposal American Nurses Association; Press Release, newsroom@ana.org; 4/17/25 Nursing-specific science and research is uniquely positioned to inform the health care delivery system on evidence-based approaches to patient-centered, quality care that meets the needs of patients as effectively and efficiently as possible. ... “The American Nurses Association (ANA) is deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the leaked draft FY 2026 proposed budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the elimination of National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and deep cuts to Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs," expressed American Nurses Association President Dr. Jennifer Mensik-Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “ANA firmly believes that NINR plays a vital role in ensuring that research guided by nurses’ education, experiences, and clinical training continue to enable our overall health care system to improve and be driven by evidence.” ... Further, ANA is grateful for the broad bipartisan support these programs have historically received from Congress and will work closely with lawmakers to safeguard funding for these programs during the FY2026 appropriations process. ...
How physician CEOs are reenergizing later-career clinicians
04/21/25 at 03:00 AMHow physician CEOs are reenergizing later-career cliniciansBecker's Hospital Review; by Kristin Kuchno; 4/9/25 While much attention has been paid to recruiting top talent amid workforce shortages, retaining physicians later in their careers is also a key focus for health systems. Mentorship, flexible scheduling and leadership development opportunities can help energize experienced physicians and reduce burnout in the years leading up to their retirement, health system CEOs told Becker’s. Physician CEOs are uniquely positioned to understand the challenges around burnout and retention. Sunny Eappen, MD, president and CEO of The University of Vermont Health Network in Burlington [described], “Having experience being in front of a patient and having to either have difficult conversations or make difficult decisions is at the core of what we do,” Dr. Eappen said. “People understand that I can really speak from the heart and truly be in their shoes.”
Integrating social determinants into palliative care
04/18/25 at 03:00 AMIntegrating social determinants into palliative care Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 4/16/25 Strong staff education and reimbursement are among the keys to successfully integrating social determinants of health within a palliative care program. Screening tools developed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) include five areas of social determinants of health: food and housing insecurity, transportation needs, utility difficulties and interpersonal safety. Supplemental domains include financial stability, employment and family and social support, among others.
Palliative care and advanced cardiovascular disease in adults: Not just end-of-life care: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association
04/18/25 at 03:00 AMPalliative care and advanced cardiovascular disease in adults: Not just end-of-life care: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association AHAIASA Journals - American Heart Association; by Lucinda J. Graven, PhD, APRN, FAHA, Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, Martha Abshire Saylor, PhD, MSN, BA, RN, Larry Allen, MD, MHS, FAHA, Angela Durante, PhD, RN, Lorraine S. Evangelista, PhD, RN, CNS, WAN, FAHA, Amy Fiedler, MD, James Kirkpatrick, MD, Lakeisha Mixon, MSW, and Rachel Wells, PhD, MSN, BA on behalf of the American Heart Association Complex Cardiovascular Nursing Care Science Committee of the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; 4/17/25 ... This scientific statement (1) discusses the application of effective communication, shared decision-making, age-friendly care, and advance care planning in advanced cardiovascular disease palliative care; (2) provides a summary of recent evidence related to palliative care and symptom management, quality of life, spiritual and psychological support, and bereavement support in individuals with advanced cardiovascular disease and their care partners; (3) discusses issues involving diversity, equity, and inclusion in cardiovascular disease palliative care; (4) highlights the ethical and legal concerns surrounding palliative care and implanted cardiac devices; and (5) provides strategies for palliative care engagement in adults with advanced cardiovascular disease for the care team.
Why good palliative care clinicians get fired
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMWhy good palliative care clinicians get fired JAMA Network - Viewpoint; by Abby R. Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA; Elliot Rabinowitz, MD; and Robert M. Arnold; 4/14/25 Even the most seasoned palliative care clinician gets fired. In the past year, one of us was fired after asking whether a patient endorsing suicidal ideation had access to a gun; the patient requested not to see the palliative care team because we asked intrusive questions and documented the encounter. One of us was fired after supporting a family’s decision to discontinue life-sustaining therapies for their loved one with multisystem organ failure; the primary intensivist suggested palliative care overstepped in discussing options for which the family (and clinical teams) was not ready. And one of us was fired after sharing the impression that a patient with cancer was dying; the family suggested they preferred the oncologist’s version of a more hopeful future.
More than just meds: What a palliative care pharmacist learned from the bedside
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMMore than just meds: What a palliative care pharmacist learned from the bedside Pharmacy Times; by Trinh Bui, PharmD, Yale New Haven Health; April 2025 Issue A palliative care pharmacist highlights a spectrum of clinical opportunities for patients, caregivers, and clinicians when rounding at the bedside. ... I hold a unique clinical position. In 2018, the National Palliative Care Registry reported that less than 10% of national palliative care (PC) programs have a dedicated pharmacist. I am a member of the PC consultation service at a cancer hospital affiliated with a large tertiary academic medical center in New Haven, Connecticut. Routinely, we are consulted for at least 40 patients a day, with more than 2000 consults in 2024. ... A benefit of having a clinical pharmacist on the interdisciplinary team includes the ability to provide off-label medication to optimize complex medication regimens while honoring patients’ psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs. ...
Patient-centered communication drives supportive care needs in incurable cancer
04/17/25 at 03:00 AMPatient-centered communication drives supportive care needs in incurable cancer Oncology Nursing News; by Kristie L. Kahl; 4/16/25 The Primary Palliative Care Communication Intervention (PRECURSOR) may improve the psychosocial experiences of patients with incurable gynecologic cancer and their caregivers in the outpatient setting, according to results of a pilot study presented at the 50th Annual ONS Congress. ... Currently, most of the conversation around supportive care is provider-driven, and clinical tendency is to insert palliative care in the terminal setting. However, the study investigators aimed to integrate supportive care across the cancer continuum.
The modern health care professional: How to combine skills from different fields to redefine your career
04/16/25 at 03:00 AMThe modern health care professional: How to combine skills from different fields to redefine your career MedPage Today's KevinMD.com; by Jalene Jacob, MD, MBA; 4/11/25 Gone are the days when careers followed linear paths and job titles neatly fit into predefined boxes. Today’s health care industry celebrates versatility, and hybrid professionals are redefining what it means to succeed. A hybrid health care professional combines skills and expertise from different fields, blending knowledge to create unique value in the health care space. Whether you’re a nurse with coding skills, a doctor with a passion for data analysis and research, or a biomedical engineer with a talent for design and business, hybridization is becoming the new competitive advantage. This article explores how early professionals can harness their diverse interests and talents to shape their careers and stand out in a rapidly evolving job market.