Open AccessIdentifying Key Priorities for Future Palliative Care Research Using an Innovative Analytic Approach
Author(s) -
Catherine Riffin,
Karl Pillemer,
Emily K. Chen,
Marcus Warmington,
Ronald D. Adelman,
M. Carrington Reid
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2014.302282
Subject(s) - key (lock) , palliative care , medicine , medline , family medicine , environmental health , political science , nursing , computer science , law , computer security
Using an innovative approach, we identified research priorities in palliative care to guide future research initiatives. We searched 7 databases (2005-2012) for review articles published on the topics of palliative and hospice-end-of-life care. The identified research recommendations (n = 648) fell into 2 distinct categories: (1) ways to improve methodological approaches and (2) specific topic areas in need of future study. The most commonly cited priority within the theme of methodological approaches was the need for enhanced rigor. Specific topics in need of future study included perspectives and needs of patients, relatives, and providers; underrepresented populations; decision-making; cost-effectiveness; provider education; spirituality; service use; and interdisciplinary approaches to delivering palliative care. This review underscores the need for additional research on specific topics and methodologically rigorous research to inform health policy and practice.