Literature Review

Why physician strikes are a form of hospiceKevinMD; by Patrick Hudson; 8/24/25I have only recently started thinking about strikes. They seemed like something other people did: railway workers, bus drivers, teachers, dockworkers. People with contracts. People who clocked in and out. Not doctors. Not surgeons. Certainly not me. You and I were supposed to absorb and adapt. To advocate from within. And we did, for a long time. We bent ourselves into shapes that did not fit. Worked around all the broken processes. Made phone calls after hours. Took the extra shift. Rewrote the notes to satisfy a system that did not understand the work. Until, eventually, some of us stopped. Not because we wanted to burn it all down, but because we could not keep pretending. And that is what a strike is, sometimes. Not rebellion. Not rage. Just a line and a refusal. And an end to the performance. Is it not strange how long you can work inside a system that is eating itself? ... You do not strike because you have stopped caring. You strike because you remember when it mattered.Publisher's note: An interesting analogy for our fractured healthcare system...

Guest Voice: What ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ teaches us about living with MS Multiple Sclerosis News Today; by Donald Kushner, MD; 8/15/25 Donald Kushner, MD, is a retired physician, board certified in internal medicine and hospice and palliative care. He has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than 20 years and draws on his dual perspective as both doctor and patient to explore illness, identity, and adaptation. He’s writing a book about how people with chronic illness and their support systems can better understand — and talk to — each other.

Taking the magnetic approach to leadership: Stop chasing and start attracting through alignment and authentic presence. Psychology Today; by Jessica Schrader; 8/3/25 Key points:

Communication and end-of-life care in dementia: insights from a close family member working in healthcare British Journal of Community Nursing; by Jennifer M Hadley; 7/31/25 There is very little documented evidence on the experiences of healthcare professionals caring for their own family outside of their role. This article explores the differences in the care received as the author shares her perspectives of caring for her mother, who was diagnosed with dementia. The author reflects on the care received and the impact of communication, as well as the ethical limitations of caring for a member of her own family. Significant references to communication barriers already exist within the literature, relating to end-of-life conversations. The presence of a relative who has a healthcare background may further impact the communication approach of healthcare professionals.

A hospice volunteer has a fascinating new take on people's most common deathbed regret Upworthy; by Cecily Knobler; 8/1/25 ... Over the years, many hospital and hospice workers have paid close attention to what people who are on their deathbeds say. What they're most proud of, and yes, what are their main regrets. ... [This author refers to] Jancee Dunn's New York Times article, "3 Lessons for Living Well, from the Dying." In it, she discusses her friend who is a hospice volunteer. "She hears one regret over and over from patients: letting relationships wither. They wish that they had made more plans with good friends, or they thought about getting back in touch with an old buddy, and talked themselves out of it." ...  One wrote,"My mother always told me, 'Your friends will get you through life.'"Editor's Note: What friend do you want to reach out to, today? 

Vet to Vet Cafe brings veterans together Tribune Chronicle, Warren, ; by Bob Coupland; 7/26/25 Veterans looking for a casual place to gather for fellowship, conversation, snacks and education can visit the newly formed Vet to Vet Cafe at the Warren SCOPE Senior Center. The new program, which started this summer, runs from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the senior center, ... John Bower, chaplain for Grace Hospice, said there are educational programs focused on veterans, including assistance with therapy access, acquiring necessary items such as hearing aids and utilizing services offered by the Veterans Association.  “We started in June as an opportunity to get veterans together for conversation or educational programs,” Bower said. ... Autumn Lopez, administrator for Grace Hospice, expressed enthusiasm for organizing the Vet to Vet Cafe with participating veterans. “The goal is to connect veterans with the services and programs that are out there to help them,” she said.

Your secret weapon: How simple recognition fuels success HR Daily Advisor; by HR Daily Advisor Staff; 7/23/25 In today’s fast-moving work world, the key to winning isn’t just about cool tech or smart processes. It’s about truly putting people first. Dr. Meisha-Ann Martin, VP of People Research at Workhuman and speaker at SHRM 25, recently showed us just how powerful this can be. She highlighted that when done right, recognition isn’t just a nice gesture – it’s a game-changer for your entire company.

Opinion: My health and my politics walk into a doctor’s office … The Washington Post; by Kim Fellner; 7/16/25 [Note: Access is behind a paid firewall, with an option to set up a temporary free account]... My palliative care doctor and I have almost nothing in common. We’re still learning from each other. ... It began simply enough. By October, my sarcoma had moved from possibly curable to definitively terminal, and, since metastasis to the bones can be painful, my anchor oncologist offered to connect me with a palliative care doctor to help with the physical and conceptual aches and pains of dying. Which seemed like a good thing to do. ... I did not anticipate, however, that the personal and the political would collide in my doctor’s office. ... [Descriptions unfold of significant, conflicted dialogue between (1) this Jewish daughter of holocaust survivors whose life-long vocation was social justice and (2) this Christian palliative care physician who asked about mental health and then dismissed this person's primary concerns that were affecting her dying.] ... Clearly, my doctor and I shared some beliefs about the importance of the palliative approach. ... But as the doctor noted, the best palliative care goes beyond the purely physical to address the more cosmic questions of life and death, and I was uncertain we were well matched as partners for this intimate process. ... I had no idea how to proceed. ... [More descriptions.] ... And that’s where the magic happened. Within a few days, my palliative care doctor sent me back a transparent, thoughtful and moving response. ... Her courage and openness, her willingness to risk a forthright response, have precipitated a remarkable dialogue about what each of us brings into the room, and how we can honor the space and each other once we get there. ... Editor's Note: Whatever one's political or religious stance, this article is sure to spark fireworks—of conflict, dissonance, and, hopefully, powerful insight. I encourage readers to engage with it attentively, attuned to three things:

‘Family’s Voice Diary’ improved support for caregivers of patients at the end of life Oncology Nurse; by Ryner Lai; 7/1/25 The authors of this study sought to understand the challenges that caregivers face when a patient is approaching end of life. For this study, they worked with bereaved relatives, members of the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to develop the Family’s Voice Diary (FVD), an initiative that allowed participants to freely express their thoughts regarding end-of-life care and the role of caregivers. ... These interviews illuminated some of the challenges that were faced when providing end-of-life care. For example, families expressed a lack of knowledge regarding what “normal” dying looks like and they wanted more support from healthcare staff, but were reluctant to ask or didn’t know how to approach the subject. Healthcare professionals themselves appeared to be reluctant to discuss matters associated with death. 

I've managed 260 employees — Here's how to tell if your leadership style is actually workingEntrepreneur; by Amy M Chambers; 6/25/25These six clues always predict whether or not there's strong leadership nearby. If you don't see these six things, poor leadership isn't far. [Including:]

Do you know how to prepare for your digital life after death? CU Boulder’s student-run clinic has some adviceThe Conversation; by Dylan Thomas Doyle, Jed R. Brubaker; 6/10/25From family photos in the cloud to email archives and social media accounts, the digital lives of Americans are extensive and growing. According to recent studies by the password management companies NordPass and Dashlane, the average internet user maintains more than 150 online accounts. Individuals produce hundreds of gigabytes of data each year. But few people have plans for what happens to that digital legacy after they die. Unlike physical possessions, online assets often don’t pass smoothly from one generation to the next. Loved ones struggle to access important accounts or recover treasured photos. Many families face these challenges while already overwhelmed with grief.

The hidden skill that separates great leaders Forbes; by Cicely Simpson; 6/13/25 The most important communication lesson you’ll learn in your career is often overlooked. And it’s not what you think. Being in rooms with world leaders and hundreds of CEOs for the past 25 years has taught me one lesson about communication that stands out above all: Everything matters in context. Most people assume great communication is about being clear. And while clarity is crucial, it’s not enough. What truly elevates your leadership is your ability to communicate with context.