Delivering research in end-of-life care: problems, pitfalls and future priorities.
In this paper we review the challenges facing the delivery of research in end-of-life care in the UK and internationally as health policies begin to focus on improving care. These include the problems of terminology in this field of enquiry and the lack of emphasis on clinical studies relating to the medical aspects of end-of-life care, including research into pain and other symptoms. Future priorities are discussed that include the pressing need to build research capacity, making better use of existing intelligence, and to progress in incremental steps as part of sustained programmes of research.
Bennett
Michael I
MI
School of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. m.i.bennett@lancaster.ac.uk
Davies
Elizabeth A
EA
Higginson
Irene J
IJ
D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*; D019452:Terminally Ill; D009626:Terminology as Topic