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Palliative Care Research Grants

This page details the awarding of grants under the Palliative Care Research Program.

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Round 3 grants

24 September 2008

The National Health and Medical Research Council and the Department of Health and Ageing have announced the awarding of 16 research grants funded under the Palliative Care Research Program.

The program, which is one component of the National Palliative Care Program, aims to improve the quality of palliative care by undertaking research capacity building initiatives, including offering training awards and funding research into palliative care.

Details of successful Round 3 research grant applicants, including titles of the projects

Chief
Investigator
Project Title Administering
Institution
Total Funding
Dr Meera Agar Randomised control trial of risperidone versus haloperidol versus placebo with rescue haloperidol in delirium in palliative care. Flinders University $50,000
Dr Meera Agar Prospective study of medical-emergency team calls to define issues of end-life decision making, symptoms and transition in goals of care. University of NSW $48,700
Dr Barbara Anderson Identification of the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. University of South Australia $50,000
Dr Sally Bennett Evidence for psychological and educational interventions for cancer-related fatigue. University of Queensland $28,283
Dr Mary Brooksbank What are the unmet care needs of patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and how can they be addressed? University of Adelaide $49,425
Associate Professor Rosalind Bull Supporting pathways to palliative care for people diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. University of Tasmania $43,575
Dr Katherine Clark Pilot randomised study of telemedicine consultation versus face-to-face consultation in palliative medicine. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital $50,000
Dr Georgia Kathleen Brooke Halkett Primary care: what is GPs’ approach to patients with advanced cancer and those who require radiotherapy? Curtin University of Technology $50,000
Professor Janet Hardy An evaluation of the validity of measuring salivary oxycodone concentrations for pharmacokinetic studies in palliative care patients. Mater Medical Research Institute $49,134
Dr Susan Lee An investigation of care-planning decisions in advanced pulmonary and cardiac illness in the Bayside Health Care region. Monash University $47,726
Ms Rachael McMahon Case conferencing, quality of life and palliative care for clients from remote communities in the Northern Territory. Menzies School of Health Research $42,750
Dr Linda Mileshkin An exploration of functional decline and the potential for rehabilitation in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. University of Melbourne $50,000
Dr Jane Nikles Comparing the effectiveness of paracetamol and placebos in advanced cancer patients on opioids. University of Queensland $49,996
Ms Katrina Recoche Informing development of national guidelines for palliative care in ambulance services by exploring current service provision. Monash University $49,916
Dr Christine Sanderson Subcutaneous ketamine in cancer pain. Flinders University $50,000
Ms Jennifer Tieman Identifying e-health literacy and readability issues for palliative-care consumers. Flinders University $29,375

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Priority driven research grants

The purpose of the Priority Driven Research Grants is to fund research projects that will provide a significant advance in knowledge of palliative care treatment in one or more of the following four broad priority areas:

  • Symptom assessment and management in palliative care
  • Families and caregiver support
  • Psychosocial support, which may include bereavement and/or spiritual aspects, and
  • Models of care in palliation. 

Details of priority driven research grants awarded in early 2008

Chief Investigator Project Title Administering Institution Length of Project Total Funding

DAVIDSON, Professor Patricia

Oxygen to relieve dyspnoea in non-hypoxaemic patients with end-stage heart failure

Curtin University of Technology/WA

3 years

$300,000

GIRGIS, Professor Afaf

Needs based access to specialist palliative care services: Development and evaluation of a Consumer Toolkit

University of Newcastle/NSW

3 years

$286,572

GLARE, A/Professor Paul

Nutrition and rehabilitation in advanced cancer patients

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital/NSW

3 years

$225,991

HOLT, Dr Tanya

QUARTZ: Quality of Life After Radiotherapy and/or Steroids

Princess Alexandra Hospital Health Service District/QLD

3 years

$63,000

HUDSON, A/Professor Peter

Helping family caregivers of palliative care patients manage their role: evaluation of a hospital based group education intervention

St. Vincent's  Health/VIC

3 years

$219,810

HUDSON, A/Professor Peter

Improving the psychological wellbeing of family caregivers of home based palliative care patients: A randomised controlled trial

St. Vincent's  Health/VIC

3 years

$300,000

KRISTJANSON, Professor Linda

Development and implementation of an educational program to guide palliative care for people with Motor Neurone Disease.

Curtin University of Technology/WA

3 years

$258,525

MARGOLIS, A/Professor Steve

Palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with end-stage renal disease: an action research initiative

James Cook University/QLD

3 years

$295,554

MITCHELL, A/Professor Geoff

Using Single Patient Trials to determine the effectiveness of psychostimulants in fatigue in advanced cancer patients

University of Queensland/
QLD

3 years

$162,563

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Training Awards

Palliative Care Training Awards provide opportunities for Australian researchers to undertake research that is both of major importance in the field of palliative care and of benefit to Australian health. The Training Awards provide a vehicle for training in research in Australia to enable award holders to work on palliative care research projects with nominated advisers. The Training Awards have been offered to a limited number of persons of outstanding ability who wish to make research a significant component of their career.

The Training Awards comprise:

  • PhD Scholarships with total funding up to $350,000 over three years
  • Post Doctoral Fellowships with total funding up to $975,000 over two years.

Details of Training Awards commencing in early 2008

Chief Investigator Name Project Title Administering Institution Length of Project Total Funding

PhD Scholarships

 

 

 

 

BURGESS, Mrs Deirdre

Client centred palliative rehabilitation: An evaluation of its efficacy.

University of Melbourne/VIC

3 years

$82,689

MCVEY, Ms Peta

Meeting the needs of the elderly: implementing the palliative approach for people with declining health in home and hostel accommodation.

University of Sydney/NSW

3 years

$82,689

ROE, Ms Penelope

End of life care options in the community for people with dementia.

Flinders University/SA

3 years

$65,598

UGALDE, Ms Anna

An instrument to measure self–efficacy in family cares of patients with advanced cancer - a questionnaire.

University of Melbourne/VIC

3 years

$65,598

WALLER, Ms Amy

Needs based palliative care: Evaluation of the Palliative Care Needs Assessment Guidelines and Palliative Care Needs Assessment Tool.

University of Newcastle/NSW

3 years

$65,598

Postdoctoral Fellowships

 

 

 

 

JOHNSON, Dr Claire

Needs based palliative care: Development and evaluation of a consumer toolkit.

University of Newcastle/NSW

2 years

$137,000

LEE, Dr Susan

Developing and Measuring Palliative Care Decision Making Skill.

Monash University/VIC

2 years

$137,000

LETHBORG, Ms Carrie

The development of a meaning centred therapy for patients with advanced cancer – an intervention study.

University of Melbourne/VIC

2 (over 3 years)

$137,000

NORDSTROM, Dr Colleen

How do risk factors for complicated grief identified before death contribute to outcomes for the bereaved?

University of Melbourne/VIC

2 years

$137,000

O’CALLAGHAN, Dr Clare

Life threatening cancer across the lifespan: Examining the relevance of music to patients and their companions.

University of Melbourne/VIC

2 years

$137,000

PARKER, Ms Deborah

Development of a palliative approach in residential care outcome scale (PARCOS).

University of Queensland/
QLD

2 years

$137,000

Round 2 grants

The National Health and Medical Research Council and the Rural Health, Palliative Care and Health Strategies Branch of the Department of Health and Ageing are pleased to announce the awarding of twelve research grants funded under the Palliative Care Research Program. The Palliative Care Research Program aims to improve the quality of palliative care by undertaking research capacity building initiatives, including offering training awards and funding research into palliative care.

Details of successful Round 2 research grant applicants, including titles of the projects

Chief Investigator Project Title Administering Institution Length of project Total funding

CLAYTON, Dr Josephine

Discussing prognosis & end-of-life issues in palliative care; current practice & development of an evidence based training program

University of Sydney/NSW

2 yrs

149,955

CURROW, Professor David

A multi-centre randomised double-blind controlled trial of oxygen versus air for the relief of breathlessness in terminally-ill patients with intractable dyspnoea and PaO2 >55mmHg

Flinders University/ SA

2 yrs

149,701

GIRGIS, A/Professor Afaf

A randomised controlled trial of the cost effectiveness of models of supportive care coordination for advanced cancer

Uni of Newcastle/ NSW

2 yrs

147,269

GLARE, A/Professor Paul

Preliminary study of association between nutritional indices, psychosocial factors, cytokines and survival in advanced cancer patients

Royal Prince Alfred/ NSW

1 yr

24,820

HEATH, Dr John

Strengthening community based Palliative Care Services: Towards a better understanding of the medical aspects of caring for children (and their families).

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute/ Vic

2 yrs

68,892

KRISTJANSON, Professor Linda

A study to pilot a clinical trial to test dignity psychotherapy for the frail aged

Edith Cowan University/ WA

8 months

25,000

KRISTJANSON, Professor Linda

A randomised clinical trial to test a pain education program for patients with cancer and their family carers

Edith Cowan University/ WA

2 yrs

150,000

McGRATH, Dr Pam

The development of a model of care for Haematology and Palliative Care

Central Queensland University/ QLD

2 yrs

149,044

McNAMARA, Dr Beverly

A model of current and potential palliative care constituency: Measuring met and unmet needs

University of Western Australia/WA

2 years

145,210

OLDHAM, Dr Lynn

Palliative Care approaches for Pain Management Education among Care Assistants in Residential Aged Care Hostels: A feasibility study

Edith Cowan University/ WA

18 months

25,000

SCHOFIELD, Dr Penelope

A randomised controlled trial of an innovative supportive care program designed to reduce perceived needs and psychological distress and enhance quality of life amongst people with incurable lung cancer

University of Melbourne/ Vic

2 yrs

111,043

YATES, A/Professor Patsy

A prospective longitudinal study of symptom clusters and their effects on physical and psychological functioning of patients with metastatic cancer

QUT/Qld

2 yrs

149,599

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Round 1 grants

Thirteen research grants and six PhD Scholarships were funded under Round One, along with two researcher workshops.

Details of successful Round 1 research grant applicants, including titles of the projects

Chief Investigator Project Title Administering Institution Length of project Total funding

Ashby, Professor Michael

Renal Dialysis Abatement: Decision-making and social impact of the transition to terminal care

Monash University, Vic

18 Months

 

$100,000

Davidson, Professor Patricia

Improving care of the dying with chronic heart failure

South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service, NSW

2 Years

 

$130,000

Glare, A/Professor Paul

Systematic review of anti-emetics in the treatment of nausea in patients with far advanced cancer

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW

2 Years

 

$100,000

Grbich, Professor Carol

Palliative care in aged care facilities for residents with a  non-cancer diagnosis

Flinders University, SA

1 Year

 

$70,000

Kaye, Dr David

Body composition changes in cardiac cachexia: patho-physiology and quantification

Baker Medical Research Institute, Vic

2 Years

 

$120,000

Kristjanson, Professor Linda

Assessment of the effectiveness of Australian models of palliative care delivery in four neuro-degenerative disorders

Edith Cowan University, WA

2 Years

 

$150,000

McGrath, Dr Pam

An innovative model of palliative care health service delivery to rural and remote Northern Territory

University of Queensland, QLD

2 Years

 

$100,000

McNamara, Dr Beverley

Palliative care constituency, utilisation and impact on health care: a Western Australian based epidemiological and sociological study

University of Western Australia, WA

2 Years

 

$150,000

Olver, Professor Ian

The investigation of innovative tele-medicine models to support palliative care delivery in rural and remote Australia

Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA

2 Years

 

$30,000

Piller, Professor Neil

The objective assessment (based on whole body bio-impedance) of the trajectory of the course of illness for end of life non cancer related diseases: biological, social and environmental determinants

Flinders Medical Centre, SA

2 Years

 

$120,000

Tattersall, Professor Martin

Early referral to palliative care: a randomised trial of patients with metastatic cancers and a survival expectation of less than 12 months

University of Sydney, NSW

2 Years

 

$70,000

White, Professor Kate

Development of a ‘pop-up’ palliative care service: a new model for providing palliative care to rural and remote communities

Edith Cowan University, WA

2 Years

 

$150,000

Yates, A/Prof Patsy

Understanding factors contributing to nausea: clinical and patients perspective

Queensland University of Technology, QLD

2 Years

 

$100,000

Round 1 Palliative care PhD Scholarship awards

Name

Title

Administering
Institution

Length of
Scholarship

Boyd, Ms Cecelia

Palliative care in high intensity transplant care settings

Queensland University of Technology, QLD

3.5 Years

Edwards, Mr Benjamin

Examining the impact of the cancer diagnosis and treatment on cancer patients and their families

Deakin University, Vic

2.5 Years

Lee, Ms Susan

The psychosocial processes of decision-making in palliative care: analysis and theory development

Edith Cowan University, WA

2.5 Years

Lethborg, Ms Carolyn

Spirituality, hope and meaning-focused coping, its impact on well being in palliative care

University of Melbourne, Vic

3.5 Years

Philip, Dr Jennifer

An examination of the cultural and ethical core components of palliative care and their relationship to disruptions

The Alfred Hospital, Vic

3.5 Years

Stephenson, Mr David

An exploration of the scope of practice and role-preparation of the Australian palliative care nurse practitioner

Flinders university, SA

2.5 Years

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