Literature Review

Timely dementia diagnosis, specialized long-term care limited for members of minority groups: studyMcKnights Senior Living, by Kimberly Bonvissuto; 2/1/24Researchers from University of California-Davis Health and Oregon Health & Science University said that members of minority groups fall victim to systemic oppression that leads to a higher risk of hospitalization and more aggressive life-sustaining treatment in end-of-life care. Their research, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analyzed 71 studies between 2000 and 2022 that examined healthcare access and quality for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Breakthroughs in Alzheimer's research give cause for optimismKiplinger, by Elaine Silvestrini; 1/29/24... Finding a cure or even an effective treatment has been difficult. Now, after billions of dollars in research and more than 100 drug failures, advocates are celebrating breakthroughs, including drugs that for the first time treat the underlying causes of the disease. Experts are optimistic that we may be on the precipice of significant changes in how the disease is treated and potentially even prevented. 

Introducing the expanded JAMA Internal Medicine Editorial FellowshipJAMA Intern Med, by Michael A. Incze, MD, MSEd; Kenneth E. Covinsky, MD, MPH; Sharon K. Inouye, MD, MPH; 1/29/24We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Editorial Fellowship program at JAMA Internal Medicine. Educating clinicians and future leaders in internal medicine is a core part of JAMA Internal Medicine’s mission, and the journal has had a robust Fellowship program for medical trainees since 2015. This year, we will grow our Fellowship program, inviting early-career faculty to apply for an immersive 1-year program that provides longitudinal mentorship and hands-on experience in learning how to work as a member of the editorial team at a leading, widely read, high-impact internal medicine journal.

Will scandal at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute cause big damage? Modern Healthcare, by Caroline Hudson; 1/29/24Allegations of data manipulation in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's research has sparked intense scrutiny of a long-revered pillar in cancer treatment and put its once-sparkling reputation into question. ... Retaining Dana-Farber's long-term standing and preserving its bottom line will depend on how fast the institute moves to control the fallout from a scandal that has made national headlines, marketing and risk management experts said.

Groundbreaking research by PFF scholarsPulminary Fibrosis Foundation; 1/22/24The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), the nation’s leading pulmonary fibrosis research, advocacy, and education organization has announced five awardees for the 2023 cycle of PFF Scholars who will receive funding for their cutting-edge research. ... “The most recent PFF Scholars class is tackling some of the most urgent questions about pulmonary fibrosis,” said Scott Staszak, PFF Chief Operating Officer. “Our goal is to accelerate the Scholars’ research and support them in securing more substantial grants for their impactful work.”

Hillman Foundation issues RFP for Serious Illness and End of Life program

Myotonic dystrophy type 1: palliative care guidelinesBMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, by Derek Willis, Tracey Willis, Claire Bassie, Gail Eglon, Emma-Jayne Ashley, and Chris Turner; 1/22/24Palliative care for adults with neuromuscular conditions is an emerging field. Previous guidelines regarding myotonic dystrophy and palliative care have only mentioned end-of-life care and little else. The following guidelines have been written using national experts as a description of best practice as part of the Dystrophia Myotonica National Care Guidelines Consortium.Requires subscription or purchase

Cancer statistics, 2024American Cancer Society, by Rebecca L. Siegel MPH, Angela N. Giaquinto MSPH, and Ahmedin Jemal DVM, PhD; 1/17/2024In this article, we provide the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths in 2024 in the United States nationally and for each state, as well as a comprehensive overview of cancer occurrence based on up-to-date population-based data for cancer incidence and mortality through 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Acceptance of digital health technologies in palliative care patientsPalliat Med Rep; by Stefan Wicki, Ian C Clark, Manuel Amann, Sebastian M Christ, Markus Schettle, Caroline Hertler, Gudrun Theile, David Blum; 1/13/24Results: A majority of patients indicated an interest in (69.0%) and positive attitude toward (75.9%) digital health technologies. Nearly all (93.1%) patients believe that digital health technologies will become more important in medicine in the future. Most patients would consider using their smartphone (79.3%) or wearable (69.0%) more often for their health.

New bill would give California parents more control over whether state can store their kid's DNACBS News / TV, by Julie Watts; 1/17/24Should you have the right to know that the state is storing your child's DNA and that researchers or law enforcement may use it without your consent? ... A 2018 statewide CBS News poll found that the majority of new parents did know about the lifesaving test. Three quarters (of new parents) had no idea the state was storing their baby's leftover bloodspots after the required test genetic test was complete.

Advance care planning reaches underserved across U.S. recruitment continues for National Institutes of Health (NIH) ResearchHospice Foundation of America; 1/18/24Community outreach leaders and liaisons are urged to apply to serve as hosts for the Project Talk Trial, a national, 5-year research project funded by National Institutes of Health that seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of advance care planning conversations and whether those discussions result in advance care planning actions. ... The project is specifically focused on underserved communities of people who historically have the poorest access to healthcare services and the lowest engagement in advance care planning, which include racial and ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and rural populations.

Interventions performed in children with immunocompromised conditions in the pediatric intensive care unit within 48 hours of deathJ Palliat Med, by Anna Kegel, Jason Espinoza, April Rahrig, Tina Schade-Wills, Courtney M Rowan; 1/17/24Conclusions: Children in the PICU with underlying immunocompromised conditions frequently receive interventions within the 48-hour period preceding death. Palliative care involvement was associated with fewer radiographic studies and fewer occurrences of CPR. The impact of interventions on the dying experience warrants further investigation.

Pediatric oncology hospice: A comprehensive reviewAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, by Ali Tafazoli and Katharine Cronin-Wood; 1/15/24.Our systematic approach led to development of a well-organized structure introducing the foundational elements, highlighting complications, and uncovering hidden gaps in this critical area. This structured framework comprises nine major categories including general ideology, population specifications, role of parents and family, psychosocial issues, financial complications, service locations, involved specialties, regulations, and quality improvement. This platform can serve as a valuable resource in establishing a scientifically reliable foundation for future experiments and practices in pediatric oncology hospice.