Heather A Davis, Christy Torkildson, Lisa C Lindley
{"title":"California Hospice Ownership Changes From 2018-2020: A Spatial Analysis and Case Illustration.","authors":"Heather A Davis, Christy Torkildson, Lisa C Lindley","doi":"10.1177/10499091241262436","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241262436","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hospices in California have undergone significant and complicated ownership changes in recent years. Little is known about the impact of these ownership changes on hospices. The purpose of our longitudinal, retrospective descriptive study was to describe the ownership changes impacting hospices 2018 to 2021 in California. Using descriptive statistics, we measured characteristics of hospices with and without ownership changes employing public data from the California Home Health Agencies and Hospice Annual Utilization Report. Ownership change characteristics were measured via publicly available hospice provider and facility data. Spatial characteristics were additionally measured via latitude and longitude publicly available data. Our findings showed that ownership changes were significant and complicated. An influx of for-profit organizations into the California market was primarily responsible for these changes. Additionally, lack of corporate financial public disclosure and voluntary hospice accreditation, certification, and reporting result in a lack of free, publicly available, definitive comprehensive data on for-profit hospice ownership. This hinders information gathering on and provider/familial choice-making regarding hospices. Our study provides critical insight into the impact of ownership changes and lack of definitive, free, publicly available information on adult hospices in California caring for children and has important clinical, research, and policy implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"429-437"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141322269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advance Care Planning Completion and Decision-Making Among Older Adults With Cancer and Their Family Caregivers: Findings From a Mixed Methods Study.","authors":"Jyotsana Parajuli, Carolyn Horne, Zhuo Job Chen","doi":"10.1177/10499091251333081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091251333081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) is a complex process where individuals communicate decisions about their future health care before becoming incapable to participate in medical decision-making. While ACP has many potential benefits, little is known about ACP among older adults with cancer and their family caregivers. The purpose of this study is to examine holistic factors that affect ACP in older adults with cancer and how family caregivers engage in the process.MethodsThis study used explanatory sequential mixed methods design guided by Engel's Biopsychosocial model. Phase I included secondary analysis of 1088 decedents over 55 years of age, using data from 2002-2016 waves of exit interviews of the Health and Retirement Study. Phase 2 included semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 14 family caregivers. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated using a joint display.ResultsQuantitative findings showed that over half of participants had all 3 types of ACP (end-of-life care discussion, durable power of attorney, advance directives) and all 3 types were significantly associated with age, race, education, multimorbidity, limitations in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, and marital status. Qualitative findings revealed that most participants had no knowledge about ACP. Integration identified points of convergence and divergence in knowledge, documentation, and factors affecting ACP.ConclusionsFuture studies are needed in a diverse sample of older adults with cancer and their family caregivers to understand and improve discussion and documentation of ACP. Findings also suggest the need for interventions to improve knowledge and awareness of ACP in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"10499091251333081"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143775159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara W Youssef, Lauren E Berninger, Danielle J Doberman
{"title":"Evaluation of Required End-Of-Life (EOL) Ethics Content in the Ten Residency Programs Offering Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship.","authors":"Sara W Youssef, Lauren E Berninger, Danielle J Doberman","doi":"10.1177/10499091251331200","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091251331200","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundEthics training is essential to hospice and palliative medicine (HPM) training. Ten residencies can lead into HPM fellowship, but clinical ethics tested on board certification exams vary in content and weight across specialties.ObjectiveWe reviewed EOL ethics content tested by board certification exams from residencies that lead into HPM fellowship across specialties.MethodsWe analyzed relative frequencies of EOL ethics categories across and within specialties from the respective board certification exam content outlines.ResultsThe relative frequencies of categories within specialties were 28.1% Surgery; 15.6% Emergency Medicine; 12.5% Anesthesiology; 12.5% Internal Medicine; 9.4% Psychiatry and Neurology; 6.3% Family Medicine; 6.3% Obstetrics and Gynecology; 6.3% Pediatrics; 3.1% PMR; and 0% Radiology.ConclusionOur findings indicate that end-of-life ethics content tested on these board certification exams vary across specialties. Given this variance, standardizing end-of-life ethics training for HPM fellowship programs presents an opportunity for educational improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"10499091251331200"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143766183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayobami Olafimihan, Inimfon Jackson, Chiamaka Nwachukwu, Stanley Ozogbo, Youjin Oh, Lina George, Praise Fawehinmi, Abubakar Abdullahi, Michael Mullane
{"title":"Trends, Sociodemographic and Hospital-Level Factors Associated with Palliative Care Utilization Among Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients.","authors":"Ayobami Olafimihan, Inimfon Jackson, Chiamaka Nwachukwu, Stanley Ozogbo, Youjin Oh, Lina George, Praise Fawehinmi, Abubakar Abdullahi, Michael Mullane","doi":"10.1177/10499091241256627","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241256627","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Several factors are reported to be associated with palliative care utilization among patients with various cancers, but literature is lacking on metastatic prostate cancer (MPC) specific factors. Early integration of palliative care in management of MPC patients could increase their quality of life and overall outcomes. <b>Methods:</b> Retrospective longitudinal analyses were conducted using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data (2010 - 2019). Prevalence trends in palliative care utilization were assessed, and sociodemographic and hospital-level factors associated with palliative care utilization in MPC patients were examined. <b>Results:</b> The overall prevalence of palliative care utilization was 13.1% with an increasing trend from 8490 to 15,231 per 100,000 MPC admissions (p-trend <.001). MPC patients aged 65 years and above had similar odds of receiving palliative care compared to younger patients. Relative to non-Hispanic Whites, other racial groups had similar likelihood to utilize palliative care services. Patients in higher median household national income quartiles had greater odds of utilizing palliative care relative to those in the first income quartile. Patients on Medicaid, private insurance and other insurance types had greater odds of palliative care use in comparison to those on Medicare. Other factors identified were hospital region, location and teaching status, patient disposition, admission type, length of stay, and number of comorbidities. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our findings underscore the significance of enhanced government policies and institutional support in improving palliative care use among hospitalized MPC patients. Health systems must be proactive in addressing barriers to optimization of palliative care utilization in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"404-412"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141083029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kelli Fee-Schroeder, Colleen Young, Victor Chedid, Aminah Jatoi, Elizabeth Cathcart-Rake
{"title":"How to Engage Older LGBTQIA+ Patients: Lessons Learned From Mayo Clinic Connect, a 100,000+-Participant Social Media Platform.","authors":"Kelli Fee-Schroeder, Colleen Young, Victor Chedid, Aminah Jatoi, Elizabeth Cathcart-Rake","doi":"10.1177/10499091241263333","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241263333","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Older LGBTQIA+ patients face discrimination in healthcare and therefore are sometimes reluctant to engage and interact with healthcare providers. This report explores whether a large medically-based internet platform can be used to engage these patients and describes preferable methods for doing so.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used Mayo Clinic Connect, a continuously monitored, internet-based social media platform of 100,000-plus users. Participants completed a brief on-line survey to ensure their study eligibility. No patient-identifying data was asked. Participants then were to call in by phone during specified day time hours for a 45-minute qualitative interview. Alternatively, as a second subsequent option, they were to complete an on-line typed response to 4 questions about their health and healthcare. No temporal overlap occurred between the availability of the phone interview option and the typed-in response option.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For the phone interviews, 17 of 64 individuals were deemed eligible, but no individual called in to be interviewed. In contrast, for the typed-in response option, 20 of 37 individuals were eligible and provided comments.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A large medically-based internet platform can be used to engage older LGBTQIA+ patients, but the use of typed-in comments appears more successful, presumably because of greater anonymity and convenience.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"421-423"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141428600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Medical Students' Experience of a Patient's Death and Their Coping Strategies: A Narrative Literature Review.","authors":"Yaara Lisai-Goldstein, Adir Shaulov","doi":"10.1177/10499091241264523","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241264523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The experience of a patient's death on medical students is powerful and may entail distress and anxiety. We review the experience of death and dying as perceived by medical students. Students are exposed to death and dying while dissecting cadavers in pre-clinical years, following patient death in clinical years, and commonly as a result of personal exposure. Students report sadness and anger in response to patient death, particularly following their first experience. The patient's identity and the student's past exposure to death were found to influence the way students experience death and dying. Coping methods may include conversation, reflection, and religion as well as detachment and avoidance. Although time and resources are invested in preparing students for a patient's death, many of them feel inadequately prepared. Greater understanding of and investment in processing medical students' experience of patient death may be helpful in their personal and professional development.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"413-420"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11869511/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141437926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lian Trapman, Marieke Zwakman, Everlien de Graaf, Lea M Dijksman, Jan C Grutters, Saskia C C M Teunissen
{"title":"Advance Care Planning: A Retrospective Audit in a National Referral Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases.","authors":"Lian Trapman, Marieke Zwakman, Everlien de Graaf, Lea M Dijksman, Jan C Grutters, Saskia C C M Teunissen","doi":"10.1177/10499091241267914","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241267914","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Idiopathic and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (IPF/PPF) of known cause are relatively rare lung diseases with a limited survival time after diagnosis. Conscious attention for palliative care is recommended. Optimal care requires collaboration to define goals and preferences for future medical treatment and care with the patient and their families, to inform (or enable) Advance Care Planning (ACP).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To get insight into the frequency of key elements of ACP described after dialogues with patients with IPF/PPF.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective audit included charts of patients with IPF/PPF who died between December 2017 and December 2020. A data extraction model was developed based on a guideline for patient federation and wider literature and finally consisted of fourteen key elements. Subsequently content analysis was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The medical charts of 60 patients showed that an element of ACP was recorded in 57(95%) of cases. No medical chart contained all fourteen key elements of ACP. Most frequently recorded ACP elements were: knowledge of illness, goals of treatment and care and fears and concerns.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The lack of structural implementation of ACP in the care for patients with interstitial lung disease, results in only some elements of ACP being dialogued by health care professionals (HCP). These notes recorded are often superficial and reflect the view of the HCP. Implementation of ACP conversations and structured documentation is needed to gain better insight into the wishes and preferences of the patient.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"372-381"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11869514/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142484705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sheza Malik, Venkat Arutla, Tariq Alamin, Fatima Warraich, Tausif A Syed, Mahesh Nepal, Muhammad Farhan Ashraf, Karin J Dunnigan
{"title":"Beyond the Diagnosis: A Deep Dive Into the End Stage Liver Disease Experience From the Patient Perspective.","authors":"Sheza Malik, Venkat Arutla, Tariq Alamin, Fatima Warraich, Tausif A Syed, Mahesh Nepal, Muhammad Farhan Ashraf, Karin J Dunnigan","doi":"10.1177/10499091241256629","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241256629","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>End-stage liver disease (ESLD) presents a multifaceted challenge that encompasses not only physical but also emotional, psychological, and social dimensions. This study aims to explore the experiences of ESLD patients within the United States healthcare system.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Utilizing a convenience sampling methodology, 15 ESLD patients from a tertiary care hospital in the USA participated in semi-structured interviews between April 2023 and January 2024. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA 2023, employing a phenomenological approach to identify common themes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study identified six primary themes: the significance of communication style in diagnosis delivery, the crucial role of family and social support, varied understanding and preferences for palliative care, diverse attitudes towards advanced care planning, preferences for coordinated healthcare experiences, and the emotional and psychological impact of ESLD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study underscores the complexity of ESLD patient care beyond medical treatment, highlighting the importance of clear communication, empathetic care, and the integration of family and palliative care services.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"389-395"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141083059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Truth on ProQOL and Burnout Assessment-Development and Intercultural Validation of the Brief ProQOL-12 from the Professional Quality of Life, Version 5.","authors":"Jason T Hotchkiss, Claudia Ming Yu Wong","doi":"10.1177/10499091241260284","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241260284","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The prevalence of burnout is becoming a public health issue across the world. This study developed and validated Brief ProQOL-12, formed from the existing, but yet unvalidated 30-item ProQOL-5.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Study 1-Eight intercultural samples of helping professionals from four continents (n = 4,129). Validation included step-wise appraisal and multi-group invariance testing. Study 2-Ethnically and occupationally-balanced sample (n = 453). Rasch modeling, factor analysis, analysis of measure correlates, and scale refinements.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ProQOL-5 (30-item) did not fit among any continential or national samples, including North America. Study 1-Provisional ProQOL-12 showed good internal structure and measurement invariance. Study 2-Brief ProQOL-12 had an excellent fit in the ethnically and occupationally diverse sample. Included ProQOL 5 items were: 9, 10, 12-14, 18, 19, 21, 24-26, and 30. The reliability and validity of the Brief ProQOL-12 were significantly improved over the 30-item measure. Rasch modeling and factor analysis indicated that the measure was reliable, valid interculturally and occupationally.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The ProQOL-5 (30-item) reliability and validity concerns were resolved in this 12-item measure which was refined to include a more realistic time context of seven days and time definite Likert ranges. These enhancements increased validity, as evidenced by the improvement in all model fit indicators in the excellent range in Study 2. Transcending culture and ethnicity with proven psychometric robustness, the Brief ProQOL-12 serves as a valuable resource for evaluating burnout risk and well-being across heterogeneous ethnic, cultural, and occupational landscapes.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"334-354"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141302353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matthew Tucker, Dayna Hovern, John Liantonio, Elizabeth Collins, Adam F Binder
{"title":"End of Life Outcomes Following Comfort Care Orders: A Single Center Experience.","authors":"Matthew Tucker, Dayna Hovern, John Liantonio, Elizabeth Collins, Adam F Binder","doi":"10.1177/10499091241253561","DOIUrl":"10.1177/10499091241253561","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Few studies have explored the outcomes of patients placed on comfort care with respect to hospice disposition. The objective of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of patients who transitioned to comfort care. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective study of patients placed on the comfort care order set between July 1st, 2021, until June 30th, 2022. Each individual patient chart was then analyzed to collect multiple clinical variables. IRB approval was obtained as per institutional guidelines. <b>Results:</b> 541 patients were included in the analysis. An average of 1.5 patients were placed on comfort care a day. 424 (78.37%) patients died while in the hospital. The median time on comfort care was 1 day. For subspecialty and hospital medicine patients the median time was 2 days. 40% of non-ICU patients were discharged with hospice services. 60% of patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU) and spent a median of 2.33 hours on comfort care. 19% of these patients were on comfort care for over 12 hours. 94% of the patients placed on comfort care in the ICU died in the hospital as compared to 53% of subspecialty and 59% of hospital medicine patients. <b>Conclusions:</b> The majority of patients placed on comfort care died during their hospitalization demonstrating a real need for comprehensive end of life care and immediate hospice services. For those discharged with hospice services, they spent an excessive amount of time in the hospital waiting for services to be arranged.</p>","PeriodicalId":94222,"journal":{"name":"The American journal of hospice & palliative care","volume":" ","pages":"321-325"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140913497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}