Clinical Correlates Of The Wish To Hasten Death Among The Terminally Ill
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$131,360.00
Summary
There is little research that has directly examined the role of the health professional in a patient's wish to die and the implications of this for the support and development of services to provide care to a dying patient. The aim of this study is to examine factors in the health service, clinical care and social environment that influence the wish to hasten death among terminally ill patients. This is an issue of increasing importance in our community as legislative change is undertaken to ena ....There is little research that has directly examined the role of the health professional in a patient's wish to die and the implications of this for the support and development of services to provide care to a dying patient. The aim of this study is to examine factors in the health service, clinical care and social environment that influence the wish to hasten death among terminally ill patients. This is an issue of increasing importance in our community as legislative change is undertaken to enable assisted suicide in the terminally ill. In particular, there is very limited published research on these issues which have accessed a subject pool of patients who are based in services that specifically provide care for the terminally ill. A specific focus of this study is to examine the factors within the doctor-patient relationship that may influence a patient's wish to hasten death. The doctor's experience of subjective burden in caring for a dying patient, level of confidence in patient management and features of the doctor-patient relationhip will be assessed. This will essentially be an exploratory study which will attempt to establish methodologies that will help to increase an understanding of why some patients request euthanasia, thus leading to the establishment of sound management strategies, as well as contribute empirical data to the euthanasia debate.Read moreRead less
The Development Of A Model Of Care For Haematology And Palliative Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,044.00
Summary
The aim of the multi-site partnership is to build on foundational work initiated by NH and MRC to establish a model for end-of-life care in adult Haematology and palliative care. Preliminary work indicates this diagnostic category does NOT presently receive palliative care. Consumer research indicates that end-of-life care in haematology is associated with the distress of escalating technology, post-traumatic stress and spiritual pain. This study seeks to address this situation by building on th ....The aim of the multi-site partnership is to build on foundational work initiated by NH and MRC to establish a model for end-of-life care in adult Haematology and palliative care. Preliminary work indicates this diagnostic category does NOT presently receive palliative care. Consumer research indicates that end-of-life care in haematology is associated with the distress of escalating technology, post-traumatic stress and spiritual pain. This study seeks to address this situation by building on the prior consumer researcher to develop a model of care through a multi-disciplinary consultation with haematology professionals and consumers.Read moreRead less
Identification Of The Palliative Care Needs Of Home-based People With End-stage Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
This project seeks to identify the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. Although the need for home-based palliative care may apply to people with dementia as well as to those with cancer and other terminal illnesses, few people with end-stage dementia receive such care. For this reason, people with dementia may experience suffering and unmet needs towards the end of life. The proposed research is important because as the population ages and the prevalence of dement ....This project seeks to identify the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. Although the need for home-based palliative care may apply to people with dementia as well as to those with cancer and other terminal illnesses, few people with end-stage dementia receive such care. For this reason, people with dementia may experience suffering and unmet needs towards the end of life. The proposed research is important because as the population ages and the prevalence of dementia increases, home-based care will be the preferred option for many people. Palliative care practice however is not necessarily transferable between cancer care and dementia care. The needs of people with end-stage dementia may be different to those of people with cancers because of the different trajectories and symptoms experienced. There is evidence to suggest that a palliative care approach in dementia is favoured by formal and informal carers, however the preferences of people with dementia are not known. Understanding the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia, carers and care providers is required, hence the motivation for this inquiry.Read moreRead less
Towards An Evidence-Based Model Of Paediatric Palliative Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,722.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to improve the evidence base in paediatric palliative care by determining: How families come to realise the need for palliative care; How health professionals (paediatricians, general practitioners, palliative care workers) come to realise the need for palliative care; What aspects of palliative care are of greatest value to dying children and their families; How families experience the service system as it is currently configured including community-based palliative car ....The aim of this study is to improve the evidence base in paediatric palliative care by determining: How families come to realise the need for palliative care; How health professionals (paediatricians, general practitioners, palliative care workers) come to realise the need for palliative care; What aspects of palliative care are of greatest value to dying children and their families; How families experience the service system as it is currently configured including community-based palliative care providers; The degree to which the views of health professionals accord with those of parents, and the extent to which this influences perceived quality of service delivery; and If, and to what extent the needs of children with malignant conditions differ from those with non-malignant conditions.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Support Services, Diet And Exercise In Alleviate Distress In Women With Ovarian Cancer And Their Partners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,794.00
Summary
A significant proportion of ovarian cancer patients and their partners experience elevated levels of distress. Determining if particular services, diet or exercise are effective in alleviating this distress will help to inform service provision and clinical practice. This research approaches this issue by firstly evaluating use of psychosocial services, diet and exercise in relation to quality of life, and secondly by piloting a lifestyle intervention for patients and partners with distress.
Palliative Care For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People With End-stage Renal Disease: An Action Research Initiati
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$295,554.00
Summary
There are significant gaps in current knowledge for providing culturally appropriate and effective palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with kidney failure. This project will consider these issues in partnership with the Kowanyama Community and the associated key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other agencies. Echoing the recommendations by the �National Indigenous Palliative Care Needs Study� this study will address the absence of a culturally appropriate m ....There are significant gaps in current knowledge for providing culturally appropriate and effective palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with kidney failure. This project will consider these issues in partnership with the Kowanyama Community and the associated key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other agencies. Echoing the recommendations by the �National Indigenous Palliative Care Needs Study� this study will address the absence of a culturally appropriate model of care pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with advanced kidney failure to make effective informed choices for palliative care. Through the use of action research methodology this study will engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider these issues, taking into consideration their cultural, spiritual and social needs, those of their family, carers, healthcare personnel and the wider community. Subject to discussions and input from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other key stakeholders it is anticipated that the key areas of interest will focus on spirituality, quality of life, role of the family, carer and community, understandings and experience of kidney failure, treatment options, patient advocacy systems, the need for relocation, and the potential role of advanced care planning. Intervention strategies will also be conducted and evaluated. Subject to discussions and input from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and other key stakeholders it is anticipated that these will focus on a community based education program, development of a culturally appropriate quality of life questionnaire, development and piloting of a culturally appropriate mechanism for people to consider advanced care planning and development and piloting of a patient advocacy process for those from remote areas visiting metropolitan renal - palliative care health services.Read moreRead less
Palliative Care In Aged Care Facilities For Residents With A Non-cancer Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$70,000.00
Summary
Preliminary studies have suggested there may be deficiencies in the care of residents in aged care facilities who have advanced terminal illnesses other than cancer. Aged care residents do not have access to the expertise and resources available to clients of palliative care services where cancer is the major diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the extent and nature of any deficits experienced in aged care facilities and to employ palliative care standards to develop strategies so that any ....Preliminary studies have suggested there may be deficiencies in the care of residents in aged care facilities who have advanced terminal illnesses other than cancer. Aged care residents do not have access to the expertise and resources available to clients of palliative care services where cancer is the major diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the extent and nature of any deficits experienced in aged care facilities and to employ palliative care standards to develop strategies so that any unmet needs can be addressed.Read moreRead less
The Enhanced Advance Care Planning And Life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) Study: Increasing Proactive Care Planning In Australian Community Aged Care Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,828.00
Summary
The Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) project will proactively screen older adults at high-risk of health decline and provide assistance to discuss and document preferences for future care. The intervention is implemented in the community aged care setting, through partnerships with home care providers. Expected benefits include increased rates of advance care planning, higher quality documents and improved wellbeing among older adults and carers.