A small percentage of survey participants had adequate knowledge of palliative care services, according to a study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. "Despite the known benefits of palliative care and its endorsement by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, we have not seen an increased uptake of palliative care by those who need it most," said Motolani Ogunsanya, lead study author and an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

An interdisciplinary approach and patient-centered care are discussed in a comprehensive review of palliative care and pulmonary rehabilitation in the upcoming ERS Monograph, a quarterly book series from the European Respiratory Society. Three experts give insights into their work combining palliative care with respiratory care and their hope for better access to palliative care for respiratory care patients.

Coping skills are strategies to manage emotions and improve how you feel, and six coping skills to help during grief are outlined. Positive reframing, humor, spirituality, acceptance, perspective focusing and problem solving all may help.

Artificial intelligence analysis of socioeconomic, demographic and clinical data can identify patients with cancer who have a high risk of dying within 30 days, potentially enabling end-of-life planning and referrals to palliative and hospice care, according to a study in Future Medicine. "[A]ggressive, life-sustaining [end-of-life] care can conflict with patient preference and result in lower quality of life, family perceptions of poorer quality of care, and greater regret about treatment decisions," researchers wrote.

Hospice provider Compassus provides a range of services in addition to hospice and is making plans to offer higher-acuity care in the home. "We've learned that we can use new tools and approaches to provide care in the home at a higher level of intensity, whether you think about skilled nursing care at home or hospital-at-home," CEO Jim Deal said.

In a study in Brain Communications, researchers used machine learning to create 2-year dementia trajectory predictions. Study authors found that neurocognitive test batteries were the best predictors of functional decline.

Health care systems are feeling the crunch of nursing shortages that are becoming more acute and could get worse as nurses continue to face extended shifts and the physical, mental and emotional effects of the pandemic. "Unfortunately, the pandemic's demand on the health care system has further exacerbated a long-standing projection that has burdened our nursing workforce," said Kendra McMillan, ANA's senior policy advisor for nursing practice and work environment.

A draft revision of the CDC 2016 opioid guideline is too focused on the risks of opioid medication and not enough on the benefits of opioids for pain patients, according to the agency's Board of Scientific Counselors, a 23 member advisory workgroup. "Many workgroup members felt that the guideline focused heavily on the risks or potential harms of opioids, while less attention was focused on the potential benefits of opioids, or the risk of not taking opioids or undertreating pain," the group wrote in its report on the draft.

A study published in The Lancet estimates that more than 1.1 million children around the world have lost at least one parent or custodial grandparent, while more than 1.5 million children lost at least one primary or secondary caregiver because of COVID-19. Losing a parent or other caregiver can have severe consequences for children, increasing their "risks of experiencing mental health problems; physical, emotional and sexual violence; and family poverty," researchers said.

Five leading associations have teamed up to bring you timely and necessary grief resources, titled Dealing with GRIEF: A Series of 5, Short, Powerful Videos. The videos are complimentary, 2 to 5 minutes in length, and include a downloadable resource guide. View the grief resources. After watching the videos, share your feedback in this 30-second survey. Dealing with GRIEF: A Series of 5, Short, Powerful Videos was produced by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, Hospice and Palliative Nurse Foundation, Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network, Association of Professional Chaplains, and Oncology Nursing Society. Made possible by a grant from the American Nurses Foundation.

Join HPNA for the 2021 Clinical Practice Forum, Aug. 26-27. This year's event will take place virtually. The Clinical Practice Forum is an evidence-based, interactive, clinical gathering that explores advancements in hospice and palliative nursing. At the Clinical Practice Forum, we examine the latest best practices, advance our knowledge of caring for patients with serious illness, and network with other professionals in the specialty. Learn more and register.