Pitt Palliative Research Center (PaRC)
@pittpalcare.bsky.social
A multi-disciplinary collaborative of University of Pittsburgh #palliative care researchers asking empiric questions and exploring ethical dilemmas to improve serious illness care.
palcare.pitt.edu
palcare.pitt.edu
Dr. Jane Schell is a co-author on a new roadmap from the International Society of Nephrology for advancing clinical research in nephrology. Read the results from the working group:
Changing paradigms of studies in kidney diseases - PubMed
Recognizing kidney disease as a major global health issue, the International Society of Nephrology convened a 2-day international, multi-stakeholder meeting to develop a road map for advancing…
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Dr. Jane Schell is a co-author on a new roadmap from the International Society of Nephrology for advancing clinical research in nephrology. Read the results from the working group:
Dr. Kelly Harris was senior author on this qualitative study by a Pitt Med student on terminology used by clinicians in fetal cardiology consultations with family caregivers. Read more: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41007075/
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Dr. Kelly Harris was senior author on this qualitative study by a Pitt Med student on terminology used by clinicians in fetal cardiology consultations with family caregivers. Read more: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41007075/
This secondary analysis of a primary palliative care trial, co-authored by several PaRC faculty members, examines the concerns and self-management strategies of older patients with advanced cancer. Read what they found: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40782786/
What's on your mind? A qualitative analysis of concerns and self-management strategies among older adults with advanced cancer - PubMed
Originally registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on March 7th, 2016, ID# NCT02712229.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This secondary analysis of a primary palliative care trial, co-authored by several PaRC faculty members, examines the concerns and self-management strategies of older patients with advanced cancer. Read what they found: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40782786/
ICYMI: Dr. Justin Yu is a co-author on this protocol paper describing the ENGAGE RCT, an intervention which applies Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for stage IV cancer patients in underserved areas. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40834926/
Engage: Protocol of a randomized controlled trial of a telehealth-delivered psychosocial intervention to decrease symptom interference in patients with advanced cancer - PubMed
This trial is one of the first to evaluate the efficacy of an ACT-based intervention for patients with stage IV cancers, yielding important information about ways to reduce suffering in this patient…
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
ICYMI: Dr. Justin Yu is a co-author on this protocol paper describing the ENGAGE RCT, an intervention which applies Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for stage IV cancer patients in underserved areas. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40834926/
An opioid de-prescribing pilot led by a palliative care pharmacist was safe and effective at reducing doses of opioids for patients in remission from cancer but time-intensive. Read about the program: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40749899/
Pharmacist-led Opioid Deprescribing Pilot Clinic within Outpatient Palliative Care - PubMed
Opioid deprescribing clinic was time-intensive and patients required close monitoring for implementation of patient-specific opioid deprescribing plans.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
An opioid de-prescribing pilot led by a palliative care pharmacist was safe and effective at reducing doses of opioids for patients in remission from cancer but time-intensive. Read about the program: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40749899/
What sorts of comments in EHR notes do patients and healthcare providers consider to be "negative"? Dr. Gina Piscitello found disagreement in a recent study, available from @JPSMjournal.bsky.social: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40803567/
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
What sorts of comments in EHR notes do patients and healthcare providers consider to be "negative"? Dr. Gina Piscitello found disagreement in a recent study, available from @JPSMjournal.bsky.social: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40803567/
Congratulations to Dr. Justin Yu, who was recently awarded a K23 award to pursue a pilot study of an intervention for caregivers of children with medical complexity. Read more: www.palcare.pitt.edu/dr-justin-yu...
November 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Congratulations to Dr. Justin Yu, who was recently awarded a K23 award to pursue a pilot study of an intervention for caregivers of children with medical complexity. Read more: www.palcare.pitt.edu/dr-justin-yu...
Dr. Gina Piscitello writes on the lack of documentation of time-limited trials in goals of care notes. Read more from the study team in @jpsmjournal.bsky.social: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40252856/
November 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Dr. Gina Piscitello writes on the lack of documentation of time-limited trials in goals of care notes. Read more from the study team in @jpsmjournal.bsky.social: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40252856/
Palliative Care Section Chief Jane Schell has been accepted to the Institute on Healthcare Improvement Fellowship program through a scholarship from the John A. Hartford Foundation. Her project will develop & measure a palliative dialysis intervention.
Dr. Jane Schell Awarded Fellowship – Palliative Research Center
Palliative Research Center
www.palcare.pitt.edu
November 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Palliative Care Section Chief Jane Schell has been accepted to the Institute on Healthcare Improvement Fellowship program through a scholarship from the John A. Hartford Foundation. Her project will develop & measure a palliative dialysis intervention.
Reposted by Pitt Palliative Research Center (PaRC)
Congratulations to Rene Claxton, MD, MS, recipient of the UPMC Physician Excellence Award – Senior Physician Excellence in Clinical Care! 🌟 She's celebrated for her exceptional patient care, groundbreaking educational innovation, & deep commitment to uplifting colleagues & trainees.
November 19, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Congratulations to Rene Claxton, MD, MS, recipient of the UPMC Physician Excellence Award – Senior Physician Excellence in Clinical Care! 🌟 She's celebrated for her exceptional patient care, groundbreaking educational innovation, & deep commitment to uplifting colleagues & trainees.
Dr. Gina Piscitello is first author on a study of goals of care documentation for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Co-authors include other PaRC faculty. Read more from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40318049/
November 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Dr. Gina Piscitello is first author on a study of goals of care documentation for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Co-authors include other PaRC faculty. Read more from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40318049/
Dr. Christine Kistler is senior author on this study characterizing advance care planning directives documented in a large primary care network. Read the findings: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
November 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Dr. Christine Kistler is senior author on this study characterizing advance care planning directives documented in a large primary care network. Read the findings: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Dr. Yael Schenker was interviewed about advance care planning on the AJCO Oncology Practice Podcast. Listen here: ascopubs.org/do/advance-c...
Advance Care Planning: How Can We Improve Access and Uptake? | Podcast | ASCO Publications
Dr. Chino welcomes Dr. Yael Schenker to discuss a new clinical trial testing the best way of engaging patients with Advance Care Planning (ACP), the process of understanding personal values, life…
ascopubs.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Dr. Yael Schenker was interviewed about advance care planning on the AJCO Oncology Practice Podcast. Listen here: ascopubs.org/do/advance-c...
Read a summary of the study's results: www.mcknights.com/news/goals-o...
October 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Read a summary of the study's results: www.mcknights.com/news/goals-o...
Dr. Gina Piscitello found in a new study that goals of care conversations held with the specialty palliative care service, and those held within the first 48 hours of admission, were associated with significant positive patient outcomes. Read the results: jpsmjournal.bsky.social
Journal of Pain & Symptom Management (@jpsmjournal.bsky.social)
Advancing #PalliativeCare, #Hospice and Symptom Research Official Journal of AAHPM and NHCPO #hapc #hpm #hapcResearch Acct led by @ctsinclair.bsky.social Website: jpsmjournal.com
bsky.app
October 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Dr. Gina Piscitello found in a new study that goals of care conversations held with the specialty palliative care service, and those held within the first 48 hours of admission, were associated with significant positive patient outcomes. Read the results: jpsmjournal.bsky.social
Faculty in the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and UPMC's Palliative and Supportive Institute recently developed and piloted a palliative care elective course for pharmacy students. Read about the course:
Course Development and Integration of a Skills-Based Assessment for an Elective Palliative Care Course - PubMed
Integrating skills-based assessment was an objective way to assess the impact of our palliative care elective course on student pharmacist skill development. The course improved student attitudes and…
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 9, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Faculty in the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and UPMC's Palliative and Supportive Institute recently developed and piloted a palliative care elective course for pharmacy students. Read about the course:
Current and former PaRC faculty and staff are coauthors on this paper which proposes a three-phase model of cancer pain. Read more in Cancer: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40931912/
September 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Current and former PaRC faculty and staff are coauthors on this paper which proposes a three-phase model of cancer pain. Read more in Cancer: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40931912/
Reposted by Pitt Palliative Research Center (PaRC)
Mentorship matters.
@pittpalcare.bsky.social Director Dr. Yael Schenker has been recognized with the Hillman Cancer Center's Outstanding Research Mentor Award for her exceptional support and guidance of the next generation of researchers. We are so proud to celebrate her leadership and impact! 👏
@pittpalcare.bsky.social Director Dr. Yael Schenker has been recognized with the Hillman Cancer Center's Outstanding Research Mentor Award for her exceptional support and guidance of the next generation of researchers. We are so proud to celebrate her leadership and impact! 👏
September 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Mentorship matters.
@pittpalcare.bsky.social Director Dr. Yael Schenker has been recognized with the Hillman Cancer Center's Outstanding Research Mentor Award for her exceptional support and guidance of the next generation of researchers. We are so proud to celebrate her leadership and impact! 👏
@pittpalcare.bsky.social Director Dr. Yael Schenker has been recognized with the Hillman Cancer Center's Outstanding Research Mentor Award for her exceptional support and guidance of the next generation of researchers. We are so proud to celebrate her leadership and impact! 👏
Dr. Amar Bansal is senior author on a study in JPM; participants in a communications training for Gastro-Intestinal fellows reported self-assessed improvement in readiness to have conversations about serious illness. Read more:
GITalk: Communication Skills Training for Gastroenterology Fellows Improves Self-Assessed Preparedness for Serious Illness Conversations - PubMed
<span><b><i>Background:</i></b> Despite caring for patients with serious illnesses, gastroenterology (GI) fellows rarely receive training in serious illness conversations (SIC).…
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
September 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Dr. Amar Bansal is senior author on a study in JPM; participants in a communications training for Gastro-Intestinal fellows reported self-assessed improvement in readiness to have conversations about serious illness. Read more:
Congratulations to Dr. Yael Schenker, who was the recipient of the Hillman Outstanding Research Mentor Award at the 2025 UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Scientific Retreat! www.palcare.pitt.edu/dr-yael-sche...
September 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Congratulations to Dr. Yael Schenker, who was the recipient of the Hillman Outstanding Research Mentor Award at the 2025 UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Scientific Retreat! www.palcare.pitt.edu/dr-yael-sche...
Dr. Margaret Rosenzweig is senior author on this descriptive study looking at correlates of delay among patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer; correlates included social support and symptom distress. Read more, in Cancer Nursing:
Factors Associated With the Delay of Chemotherapy Initiation Among Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer - PubMed
Targeted interventions to alleviate symptom distress and enhance interpersonal support may facilitate timely chemotherapy initiation.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
September 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Dr. Margaret Rosenzweig is senior author on this descriptive study looking at correlates of delay among patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer; correlates included social support and symptom distress. Read more, in Cancer Nursing:
PaRC and Pitt School of Nursing's Dr. Jennifer Seaman writes in the Journal of Palliative Medicine about things HPC clinicians should know about consulting with the ICU.
Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Intensive Care Unit Consultation - PubMed
The intensive care unit (ICU) is distinct in population, culture, and palliative care needs. Critical illness and ICU stays can be extremely distressing for patients and their loved ones. Providing…
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
September 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM
PaRC and Pitt School of Nursing's Dr. Jennifer Seaman writes in the Journal of Palliative Medicine about things HPC clinicians should know about consulting with the ICU.
Faculty member & Section of Palliative Care Chief Jane Schell is a co-author on this study of an intervention which evaluated co-management of Chronic Kidney Disease by nephrologists and PCPs. Read more:
Patient Perceptions of a Population Health Management Program to Improve Kidney Care: Optimizing care in CKD - PubMed
Patients with CKD who are managed by their PCP were supportive of remote comanagement by a nephrologist. Patients perceive some aspects of CKD health education to be beneficial; however, more…
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
September 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Faculty member & Section of Palliative Care Chief Jane Schell is a co-author on this study of an intervention which evaluated co-management of Chronic Kidney Disease by nephrologists and PCPs. Read more:
Reposted by Pitt Palliative Research Center (PaRC)
Dr. Gina Piscitello spoke with @medpagetoday.com about a review she led that found a lack of uniformity surrounding US laws guiding clinician decision-making for initiating or maintaining life-sustaining treatment.
Read it here: www.medpagetoday.com/publichealth...
Read it here: www.medpagetoday.com/publichealth...
September 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Dr. Gina Piscitello spoke with @medpagetoday.com about a review she led that found a lack of uniformity surrounding US laws guiding clinician decision-making for initiating or maintaining life-sustaining treatment.
Read it here: www.medpagetoday.com/publichealth...
Read it here: www.medpagetoday.com/publichealth...
Dr. @carissalow.bsky.social is first author on a new study which suggests information captured by consumer-grade wearable devices may be able to predict survival among cancer patients. Read more:
Consumer Wearable Device Measures of Gait Cadence and Activity Fragmentation as Predictors of Survival Among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy - PubMed
Activity fragmentation and gait cadence metrics derived from consumer wearable devices were associated with overall survival in patients receiving chemotherapy for any solid tumor. These associations…
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
August 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Dr. @carissalow.bsky.social is first author on a new study which suggests information captured by consumer-grade wearable devices may be able to predict survival among cancer patients. Read more: