Exploring aging-related stress among older spousal caregivers.

The goal of this study was to explore aging-related stress among older spousal caregivers providing hospice care for an older adult with cancer. Cases were selected from an ongoing randomized controlled trial that involved audiorecorded visits with caregivers over four different time points. Recordings consisted of caregivers discussing caregiving problems and ways they attempted to cope.

Assessment of an interprofessional online curriculum for palliative care communication training.

Background: Curricular changes to palliative care communication training are needed in order to accommodate a variety of learners, especially in lieu of the projected national shortage of hospice and palliative medicine physicians and nurses.

Objective: This study assessed the utility of a palliative care communication curriculum offered through an online platform and also examined health care professionals' clinical communication experiences related to palliative care topics.

Design: Four of the seven modules of the COMFORT communication curriculum were made available online, and participant assessments and knowledge skills were measured.