Not until I had experienced my own mother's illness and death did I appreciate the complexity of end-of-life decision making. As an oncology nurse practitioner, I had been trained in advance directives. I understood the importance and why they were needed. However, my own family's experience taught...

Background: The palliative care needs of hospitalized patients often go unmet, resulting in unrelieved symptoms and a lack of understanding about advance care planning. Objectives: This article analyzes the 10-item Palliative Assessment Screening Tool (PAST) to determine if the PAST aids in the...

Purpose: Healthcare providers who are involved in the care of patients at the end of life are at risk of developing compassion fatigue, a condition characterized by emotional exhaustion and reduced professional engagement. Research has shown that development of a meditation practice can modify...

Background: Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is legal either medicinally or recreationally in 29 states and the District of Columbia, with a majority of the U.S. adult population now living in states where cannabis is legal for medicinal use. As an advocate for patient autonomy and informed...