Hospital practice (1995)
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Hospital practice (1995) · Jan 2010
Developing the evidence base for palliative care: formation of the Palliative Care Research Cooperative and its first trial.
The field of palliative care and hospice has gained accreditation, with a growing cadre of specialists being trained, but there is a dearth of robust research evidence to guide clinical practice. After 2 years of planning, a group of senior investigators convened in January 2010 to explore the possibility of forming a research cooperative group dedicated to advancing the evidence base in palliative care and hospice. ⋯ Using the proposed trial as a case study, we underscore several approaches to overcoming common research challenges in end-of-life settings, including: 1) study design, to ensure feasibility and timeliness; 2) strategies to overcome barriers to research in this population; 3) data collection and management, to reduce the burden on patients, caregivers, research personnel, and sites while maximizing quality and efficiency; and 4) agenda setting. This article describes the rationale for convening the PCRC and highlights core principles for developing the evidence base in palliative medicine.