title: Methodological challenges in supportive and palliative care cancer research.
abstract: As a growing medical field, palliative and supportive care should incorporate evidence-based medical practice. The gold standard research method continues to be the randomized clinical trial. This has been pursued with regard to cancer trials focused on cure. It has specific operational and methodological challenges in advanced disease. There are numerous reasons why effective research in palliative and supportive care is difficult. A consensus on the best research strategies and design is lacking. We will discuss the principles of palliative and supportive care research, examine the inherent challenges particularly in randomized controlled trials, and offer some suggestions to overcome them.
authors: Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, The Harry R Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine a World Health Organization Demonstration Project in Palliative Medicine and an ESMO Designated Center of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors: Aynur
authors: A
authors: Aktas
authors: Declan
authors: D
authors: Walsh