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Establishment and preliminary outcomes of a palliative care research network

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2015

Peter Hudson ,
Annette Street ,
Suzanne Graham ,
Sanchia Aranda ,
Margaret O'Connor ,
Kristina Thomas ,
Kate Jackson ,
Odette Spruyt ,
Anna Ugalde  and
Jennifer Philip
Peter Hudson*
Affiliation:
Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Australia Department of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Australia School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Annette Street
Affiliation:
Palliative Care Unit, Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Suzanne Graham
Affiliation:
NHS Education for Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Sanchia Aranda
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Australia Cancer Services and Information, Cancer Institute, Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Margaret O'Connor
Affiliation:
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Kristina Thomas
Affiliation:
Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Australia
Kate Jackson
Affiliation:
Supportive and Palliative Care, Monash Health and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Odette Spruyt
Affiliation:
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Anna Ugalde
Affiliation:
Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Australia School of Nursing & Midwifery, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia Cancer for Information and Support Service, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Jennifer Philip
Affiliation:
Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, Australia Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Peter Hudson, Centre for Palliative Care, St Vincent's Hospital, P.O Box 2900, Melbourne, Australia3065. E-mail: phudson@unimelb.edu.au.
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Abstract

Objective:

The difficulties in conducting palliative care research have been widely acknowledged. In order to generate the evidence needed to underpin palliative care provision, collaborative research is considered essential. Prior to formalizing the development of a research network for the state of Victoria, Australia, a preliminary study was undertaken to ascertain interest and recommendations for the design of such a collaboration.

Method:

Three data-collection strategies were used: a cross-sectional questionnaire, interviews, and workshops. The questionnaire was completed by multidisciplinary palliative care specialists from across the state (n = 61); interviews were conducted with senior clinicians and academics (n = 21) followed by two stakeholder workshops (n = 29). The questionnaire was constructed specifically for this study, measuring involvement of and perceptions of palliative care research.

Results:

Both the interview and the questionnaire data demonstrated strong support for a palliative care research network and aided in establishing a research agenda. The stakeholder workshops assisted with strategies for the formation of the Palliative Care Research Network Victoria (PCRNV) and guided the development of the mission and strategic plan.

Significance of results:

The research and efforts to date to establish the PCRNV are encouraging and provide optimism for the evolution of palliative care research in Australia. The international implications are highlighted.

Keywords

PalliativeResearchCollaborationOutcomeIntervention
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , February 2016 , pp. 52 - 59
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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