Caring for the Soul at the limits of Medical Technology: Reflection on Caring for a Patient on ECMO
Mr C was a 50 year old Spanish speaking male who was admitted to our institution with respiratory distress due to COVID 19. He was intubated in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). His lung function and circulatory system continued to deteriorate and he was eventually placed on VV ECMO (Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 12, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Mei-Ean Yeow, Jose L. Morales Rojas, Christina Wood, Teresa J Goddard Source Type: research

Difficulties of Cancer Patients ’ Relatives in End-of-Life Discussions: Validation of a Questionnaire
Despite the potential benefits and the desire for end-of-life communication, it rarely occurs in the familial context. Relatives play a significant role in the communication process, thus it is crucial to understand the difficulties that they face. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 12, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Liv Betker, Alina Sen ßfelder, Jorge Riera Knorrenschild, Christian Volberg, Daniel Berthold, Carola Seifart, Pia von Blanckenburg Source Type: research

Comparison of pharmacological treatments for agitated delirium in the last days of life
Antipsychotics are often used in managing symptoms of terminal delirium, but evidence is limited. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 12, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Natsuki Kawashima, Naosuke Yokomichi, Tatsuya Morita, Ritsuko Yabuki, Takayuki Hisanaga, Kengo Imai, Yumi Hirose, Miho Shimokawa, Satoru Miwa, Toshihiro Yamauchi, Soichiro Okamoto, Eriko Satomi Source Type: research

Psychologists as Pivotal Members of the Pediatric Palliative Care Team
Pediatric psychologists possess unique expertise to positively impact the care provided to children with serious illness and their families. Despite increasing recognition regarding the value of psychology in palliative care, psychologists are not yet routinely integrated into pediatric palliative care (PPC) teams. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 11, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Amanda L. Thompson, Rachel A. Kentor, Megan R. Schaefer, Sarah R. McCarthy Source Type: research

There Is No Floor: The Myth of Certainty
“The floor opened up beneath me, Doc,” my patient recounts. “When I first heard the word cancer,” he exhales slowly, “in that one moment, it was as if the solid floor beneath my feet literally opened up, and I was just... falling.” He gives the faintest of reminiscent sighs—as if the p erson he was at the time of diagnosis was a version of himself from another life. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 11, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Danielle Chammas Source Type: research

Measures of Patient and Surrogate Preparedness for End-of-Life Decision-Making
Reliable and valid measures are critical in accurately assessing outcomes of advance care planning interventions (ACP) for end-of-life (EOL) decision-making. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 11, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Mi-Kyung Song, Melinda K. Higgins, Sandra E. Ward, Haerim Lee, Naziya Noorani, Mary Beth Happ Source Type: research

Parenteral Hydration in Dying Patients With Cancer: A National Registry Study
Clinically assisted hydration during end-of-life care among patients with cancer is controversial; practice varies between clinical settings and countries, and there is a lack of evidence. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 9, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Lisa Martinsson, Peter Strang, Staffan Lundstr öm, Christel Hedman Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Letter to the Editor. A Response to: Palliative Management of Inoperable Malignant Bowel Obstruction: Prospective, Open Label, Phase 2 Study at an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center
We congratulate Walter et al for successfully completing a single arm, open-label trial of combination pharmacological therapy in the palliative management of inoperable bowel obstruction.1 In a challenging area to research, this work provides a platform for future projects. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 9, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Katherine Clark, Jason W. Boland, David C. Currow Tags: Letter Source Type: research

Questions from family members during the dying process and moral distress experienced by ICU nurses
For a hospitalized patient, transitioning to comfort measures only (CMO) involves discontinuation of life-prolonging interventions with a goal of allowing natural death. Nurses play a pivotal role during the provision of CMO, caring for both the dying patient and their family. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 9, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Hao H. Tong, Claire J Creutzfeldt, Katherine G Hicks, Erin K Kross, Rashmi K Sharma, Ann L Jennerich Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Parenteral hydration in dying patients with cancer – a national registry study
Clinically assisted hydration during end-of-life care among patients with cancer is controversial; practice varies between clinical settings and countries, and there is a lack of evidence. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 9, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Lisa Martinsson, Peter Strang, Staffan Lundstr öm, Christel Hedman Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

To The Editor
We congratulate Walter et al for successfully completing a single arm, open-label trial of combination pharmacological therapy in the palliative management of inoperable bowel obstruction (1). In a challenging area to research, this work provides a platform for future projects. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 9, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Katherine Clark, Jason W Boland, David C Currow Tags: Letter Source Type: research

Disability and Place of Death in Older Americans: The Moderating Role of Household Wealth
Home-based deaths are increasing, yet, how wealth influences where people die in the presence of disability remains unknown. (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 8, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Jennifer Im, Nauzley C. Abedini, Edwin S. Wong Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Editorial Board
(Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 6, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Source Type: research

Table of Contents
(Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 6, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Source Type: research

Peppermint inhalation therapy for persistent hiccups in terminally ill cancer patient: A case study
To the Editor, (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management)
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - February 6, 2024 Category: Palliative Care Authors: Sakiho Noda, Junji Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Kosugi, Ayaka Ishida, Mariko Harada, Keisuke Ishizuka, Yujiro Inoue, Emi Kubo, Tomofumi Miura Tags: Letter Source Type: research