# Palliative Medicine * **Definition:** A medical specialty focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness, aiming to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. * **Taxonomy:** Specialties / Palliative Medicine ## News * Selected news on the topic of **Palliative Medicine**, for healthcare technology leaders * 1.2K news items are in the system for this topic * Posts have been filtered for tech-related keywords | Date | Title | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 5/20/2025 | [**American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Announces Pierre M. Desy ... - PR Newswire**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-academy-of-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-announces-pierre-m-desy-mph-cae-as-new-chief-executive-officer-302460291.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 3/24/2025 | [**The Inner Circle acknowledges, Christine M. Estrada, DO, MPH, MS, MBA as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-inner-circle-acknowledges-christine-m-estrada-do-mph-ms-mba-as-a-pinnacle-lifetime-member-302409456.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 2/26/2025 | [**Humana Taps Thyme Care for Value-Based Oncology Care**](https://medcitynews.com/2025/02/humana-thyme-cancer/) | [[MedCity News]] | | 2/5/2025 | [**32 Physicians and Surgeons from Virginia Cancer Specialists Named as NorthernVirginia ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/32-physicians-and-surgeons-from-virginia-cancer-specialists-named-as-northernvirginia-magazines-2025-top-doctors-302367661.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 2/4/2025 | [**Study highlights Native Hawaiian end-of-life care preferences**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-highlights-native-hawaiian-life.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 12/30/2024 | [**American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Next Gen Scholars for Equity in ...**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-academy-hospice-palliative-medicine-142100591.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 12/30/2024 | [**American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Next Gen Scholars for Equity in ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-academy-of-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-next-gen-scholars-for-equity-in-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-program-receives-grant-from-adtalem-global-education-foundation-302337218.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 12/30/2024 | [**American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Next Gen Scholars for Equity ... - Morningstar**](https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20241230cg84344/american-academy-of-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-next-gen-scholars-for-equity-in-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-program-receives-grant-from-adtalem-global-education-foundation) | [[Morningstar]] | | 12/26/2024 | [**Steve Smith to lead the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as interim Chief Executive Officer**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/steve-smith-to-lead-the-american-academy-of-hospice-and-palliative-medicine-as-interim-chief-executive-officer-302337217.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 12/26/2024 | [**Top 5 Most-Watched Videos of 2024**](https://www.ajmc.com/view/top-5-most-watched-videos-of-2024) | [[AJMC]] | | 12/26/2024 | [**Steve Smith to lead the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine as interim ...**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/steve-smith-lead-american-academy-140100524.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 12/16/2024 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2827918) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 12/12/2024 | [**Embedding treatment in stronger care systems - The Lancet Infectious Diseases**](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(24)00727-8/fulltext?rss=yes) | [[The Lancet]] | | 12/5/2024 | [**Association for Palliative Medicine replies to Ahmedzai and Fingas**](http://www.bmj.com/content/387/bmj.q2716.short?rss=1) | [[BMJ]] | | 12/2/2024 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2827395) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 11/22/2024 | [**Chutes - CVS Health continues leadership shakeup; Providence appoints COO**](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/chutes-ladders-cvs-spins-merry-go-round-providence-appoints-coo) | [[FierceHealthcare]] | | 11/8/2024 | [**Long-Term Care Market to Grow by USD 394.8 Billion from 2024-2028, as Aging Population Drives Demand with AI Impact on Market Trends - Technavio**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/long-term-care-market-to-grow-by-usd-394-8-billion-from-2024-2028--as-aging-population-drives-demand-with-ai-impact-on-market-trends---technavio-302299523.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 11/7/2024 | [**Opioid Stewardship Pharmacist: Advancing Pain Management and Safe Opioid Use in Cancer Care**](https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/opioid-stewardship-pharmacist-advancing-pain-management-and-safe-opioid-use-in-cancer-care) | [[Pharmacy Times]] | | 11/4/2024 | [**Healthcare Authority Newsletter - October 2024 #5 - Arnall Golden Gregory LLP - JDSupra**](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/healthcare-authority-newsletter-october-3645416/) | [[JD Supra]] | | 11/1/2024 | [**Opinion: Professional body continues to misinform on palliative medicine doctors' stance on assisted dying**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-opinion-professional-body-misinform-palliative.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 9/30/2024 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2824134) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 9/17/2024 | [**Hospice Dynamix Welcomes Industry Veteran Rob Stoltz as Chief Strategy Officer**](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917736597/en/Hospice-Dynamix-Welcomes-Industry-Veteran-Rob-Stoltz-as-Chief-Strategy-Officer) | [[Business Wire]] | | 9/17/2024 | [**Hospice Dynamix Welcomes Industry Veteran Rob Stoltz as Chief Strategy Officer**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hospice-dynamix-welcomes-industry-veteran-150400580.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 8/6/2024 | [**Enclara Pharmacia Announces Real-Time, Two-Way Medication Integration With MatrixCare's Electronic Health Record Platform**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240806088243/en/Enclara-Pharmacia-Announces-Real-Time-Two-Way-Medication-Integration-With-MatrixCare%E2%80%99s-Electronic-Health-Record-Platform/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | | 8/6/2024 | [**Enclara Pharmacia Announces Real-Time, Two-Way Medication Integration With MatrixCare's Electronic Health Record Platform**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240806088243/en/Enclara-Pharmacia-Announces-Real-Time-Two-Way-Medication-Integration-With-MatrixCare%E2%80%99s-Electronic-Health-Record-Platform/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ==) | [[Business Wire]] | ## Specialty Overview (Some LLM-derived content — please confirm with above primary sources) ### Key Players - **Hospitals and Health Systems**: Organizations that provide palliative care services as part of their patient care offerings, often integrating these services into oncology, geriatrics, and other specialties. - **Palliative Care Specialists**: Healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and social workers, who are trained in providing palliative care to patients with serious illnesses. - **Palliative Medicine Division Chief**: Dr. Tressia Shaw, who established the Complex Care program and the Pediatric Palliative Medicine program at Phoenix Children's Hospital. - **American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)**: A professional organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for seriously ill patients through education, training, and advocacy in hospice and palliative medicine. - **Thumbay University Hospital**: Operates a long-term care facility that emphasizes patient-centered care, including palliative care and rehabilitation services. - **Dr. Johnathan Abraham**: Pioneered embedding a palliative care practitioner in the emergency department at Corewell Health to improve patient care. - **Technology Companies**: Organizations that develop software and tools to enhance palliative care delivery, including telehealth platforms and electronic health records (EHR) systems. - **Axxess**: A palliative care platform that has partnered with Forcura to streamline patient care workflows. - **Forcura**: A technology provider enhancing palliative care through improved documentation and communication workflows. - **Avextra**: An industry partner in the PsyPal study, focusing on psilocybin-assisted therapy for patients in palliative care suffering from depression. - **CareConnectMD (CCMD)**: Recognized as a top-performing High-Needs ACO REACH model, delivering value-based care to high-needs populations, including palliative care services. - **Enclara Pharmacia**: A provider of hospice and palliative care medication management solutions, known for its E3 Pro platform. - **Dr. Tressia Shaw**: Newly appointed leader of the palliative care division at Phoenix Children's, recognized as a Top Doctor. - **Hospice Dynamix**: A company specializing in predictive analytics technology for hospice and palliative care, focusing on enhancing care quality and operational efficiency. - **CareConnectMD DCE LLC (CCMD)**: Recognized for its commitment to high-quality care for complex populations, integrating primary, palliative, and behavioral health services. - **Psyence Biomedical Ltd.**: A company focused on developing nature-derived psilocybin-based therapies for mental health disorders, particularly in palliative care. - **Psyence Group**: A biotechnology company developing psilocybin-based treatments for psychological trauma in palliative care. - **MatrixCare**: An electronic health record (EHR) system that integrates with Enclara's platform to enhance medication management for hospice care. - **VNS Health**: An organization that has developed AI systems to assess and predict patients' palliative care needs, utilizing extensive medical and pharmaceutical claims data. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Academic Institutions**: Partnerships with universities to conduct research on palliative care practices and improve training for healthcare providers. - **Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations**: Collaborations between hospitals and hospice organizations to provide seamless transitions for patients needing palliative care. - **Providence and Compassus**: A partnership aimed at enhancing home health services to meet the growing demand for palliative care as the population ages. - **Next Gen Scholars for Equity in Hospice and Palliative Medicine**: A program by AAHPM supported by Adtalem Global Education Foundation to enhance diversity in the palliative care workforce. - **PsyPal Study**: A multi-centre Phase 2 clinical trial sponsored by the University Medical Center Groningen, involving 19 partner organizations from nine European countries to evaluate psilocybin-assisted therapy in palliative care. - **Psyence Biomedical**: Partnered with Fluence and iNGEN to support a Phase IIb clinical trial targeting Adjustment Disorder in palliative care. - **Providence at Home with Compassus**: A joint venture to expand home-health services, hospice, and palliative care, aiming to improve service delivery and reduce costs. - **Enclara Pharmacia and MatrixCare**: Launched a bidirectional medication interface to improve efficiency and patient safety in hospice care. - **Forcura and Axxess**: This partnership focuses on improving connectivity and operational efficiency for palliative care clients through a bi-directional API integration. - **Psyence and Optimi**: Psyence has signed binding agreements with Optimi Health Corp. to supply psilocybin extracts for clinical trials and drug development in palliative care. - **Independence Blue Cross and Jefferson Health**: Conducted a study showing the positive impact of supportive oncology programs on patient care. - **Eden Health and A Plus Hospice Care**: Eden Health's acquisition enhances its service offerings in Northern Nevada, providing additional palliative care services. - **Providence Health System and Compassus**: Joint venture to enhance home health and hospice services across multiple states. - **Levo and Legacy Hospice**: Levo's workforce management platform is being implemented by Legacy Hospice to enhance clinician satisfaction and care delivery. - **Tutera and Residential Home Health and Hospice**: Expanded partnership to provide home health care in the Kansas City market, focusing on comprehensive patient support. - **Virginia Cancer Specialists**: Collaborates with The US Oncology Network to deliver integrated, value-based care. - **Homecare Homebase and Future Leaders Awards**: A collaboration recognizing emerging professionals in home health, hospice care, and palliative care sectors. - **Elevance Health and CareBridge**: Elevance Health's acquisition of CareBridge aims to strengthen its position in the home-based care market. - **Chapters Health System and Nonprofit Organizations**: Partnered to expand home-based care services into California, Nevada, and Oregon. - **MyDirectives Leadership Appointments**: Ron Wozny and Jessica Zan appointed to enhance digital advance care planning solutions. ### Innovations, Trends, and Initiatives - **Palliative Care in Cardiovascular Disease**: American Heart Association emphasizes patient-centered palliative care therapies to improve quality of life. - **Advancements in Palliative Care Technologies**: Innovations in therapeutic and imaging technologies are enhancing treatment options for patients in palliative care, particularly for conditions like Metastatic Bone Disease. - **Integration of Palliative Care**: The integration of palliative care early in treatment processes for pediatric patients is gaining attention, emphasizing the need for family-centered approaches. - **Telehealth in Palliative Care**: The rise of telehealth services allows palliative care specialists to reach patients in remote areas, improving access to care. - **Integration of Telehealth in Palliative Care**: Studies show that virtual care can significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients without access to in-person palliative care. - **Holistic Approaches in Palliative Care**: The PsyPal study aims to integrate psychedelic therapies into mainstream healthcare to address psychological distress in palliative care. - **Supportive Oncology Programs**: Research indicates these programs lead to fewer hospital admissions and emergency room visits for cancer patients, integrating services like social work and palliative medicine. - **Psychedelic Research in Palliative Care**: There is a growing interest in psilocybin-based drug development for treating mental health disorders in palliative care settings, with Psyence focusing on this area. - **Digital Technology in Palliative Care**: Studies indicate that digital tools can enhance nurses' ability to manage end-of-life care, emphasizing the need for better training and support. - **Integration of EHR Systems**: Efforts to integrate palliative care documentation into EHR systems to streamline communication among healthcare providers. - **ACGME Awards**: Recognizes contributions to residency and fellowship education, including advancements in palliative care. - **Growth of Palliative Care Market**: Projected to grow from USD 13.45 billion in 2024 to USD 17.73 billion by 2034, driven by an aging population and chronic diseases. - **Phoenix Children's Division Chiefs**: Appointment of new leaders to enhance care in palliative medicine and other specialties. - **Corewell Health Pilot Program**: Successfully reduced inpatient mortality and readmission rates by embedding palliative care practitioners in emergency departments. - **Patient-Centered Care Models**: Adoption of models that prioritize patient preferences and quality of life in treatment planning. - **Psychedelic Medicine Research**: Psyence Group is conducting clinical trials on psilocybin for Adjustment Disorder in palliative care. - **Patient-Centric Care Models**: Efforts to meet the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and families through tailored care approaches. - **Psilocybin Clinical Trials**: Psyence Group is conducting a Phase IIb trial using nature-derived psilocybin combined with psychotherapy for patients in palliative care. - **AI in Palliative Care**: Research by VNS Health indicates that generative AI can enhance clinicians' ability to assess and predict palliative care needs, improving patient outcomes. - **Compassionate Care Initiatives**: Efforts to foster a culture of compassion in healthcare, such as training programs and regulatory inspections, are essential for improving patient experiences. ### Challenges and Concerns - **End-of-Life Care Gaps**: Pain medicine specialists emphasize the need for improved end-of-life care, particularly in the context of assisted suicide debates. - **Access to Care**: Ensuring equitable access to palliative care services across different regions, particularly in underserved areas. - **Access to Palliative Care**: Despite rising demand, access remains limited due to inadequate funding, workforce shortages, and low public awareness. - **Funding for Palliative Care**: Doctors in England and Wales advocate for increased funding, highlighting that current services rely too heavily on charity. - **Opioid Stewardship**: Concerns regarding the balance between adequate pain management and the risks associated with opioid use in palliative care. - **Assisted Dying Debate**: Criticism of the Association for Palliative Care Medicine for its stance against assisted dying, which some argue stifles open discussion among professionals. - **Training and Education**: There is a need for more comprehensive training programs for healthcare providers in palliative care principles and practices. - **Assisted Dying Legislation**: Concerns raised about the impact of new laws on palliative care funding and doctor-patient relationships. - **Funding and Reimbursement**: Challenges related to reimbursement for palliative care services can limit the availability of these services. - **Access Disparities**: Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are less likely to receive palliative care, leading to poorer health outcomes. - **Public Perception**: There may be concerns regarding the acceptance of psychedelic treatments in mainstream medicine, particularly in sensitive areas like palliative care. - **Need for Training and Support**: There is a critical need for ongoing education and support for healthcare professionals to effectively integrate technology into palliative care. - **Healthcare Inequities**: Marginalized communities often lack culturally effective hospice and palliative care services, contributing to disparities in health outcomes. - **Workforce Satisfaction**: Maintaining high employee satisfaction and engagement is crucial for delivering quality palliative care, as evidenced by Graham Healthcare Group's recognition as a top workplace. - **Cultural Barriers to Compassionate Care**: The lack of compassion in healthcare settings remains a concern, necessitating organizational changes to prioritize patient-centered care. - **Fragmented Digital Systems**: Nurses face challenges with multiple digital tools for end-of-life care, leading to increased workloads and reduced time for hands-on care. - **Economic Pressures on Hospices**: Hospices face rising demand and economic pressures, necessitating a balance between technology investments and high-touch care. - **Regulatory Compliance**: Hospice providers must navigate complex regulatory requirements while ensuring high-quality care. - **Staffing Challenges**: The hospice sector is grappling with staffing shortages, requiring effective communication and data sharing to maintain care quality. ## Related Topics [[Palliative Care]]; [[Hospice Medicine]]