title: International palliative care research in the context of global development: a systematic mapping review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increasing amount of health policy is formulated at global level. At this global level, palliative care has attracted support primarily from normative institutions (WHO), not funding agencies. To attract greater global attention from policymakers, it has been argued that an international approach to research is required. However, the extent to which an international approach is being undertaken is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To systematically identify and thematically synthesise all international palliative care research, defined as research involving two or more countries, or focused on the global level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five bibliographic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ASSIA, Web of Knowledge, Psychinfo) were searched for journal articles relevant to international and global palliative care and end-of-life care. Data were extracted using a piloted extraction form and findings were synthesised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  184 studies were included, published across 75 different academic journals. Research emanates from and focuses on all world regions and there is increasing focus on the global level. Thematically, there is a high focus on Evaluation (n=53) and views of Stakeholders (n=38). The review revealed a predominantly observational research approach and few interventional studies were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  International palliative care research is a relatively new, but growing field. However, many gaps in the evidence base remain and palliative care research continues to take place outside broader discourses of international development. The relative absence of interventional research demonstrating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of palliative care risks limiting the tools with which advocates can engage with international policymakers on this topic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Sheffield, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: University of Sheffield, School of Nursing, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Sheffield, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health / Q000592:standards*; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000592:standards*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Global Palliative Care; International Development; International Research; Systematic Mapping Review