Research Statement

My research interests focus on communication and decision-making for family carers and patients within palliative care, in particular for individuals living with dementia and in the support of patients and family carers who are transitioning to palliative care. I also am interested in enhancing the provision of support for family carers of individuals living with dementia focusing on the availability of peer support facilities. 

I have helped design and conduct a cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the use of Advance Care Planning for individuals living with dementia residing in nursing homes, and also a cross-sectional survey reviewing GPs’ perceptions on palliative care for individuals with dementia.

Research Interests

Chronic illness, palliative care, neurodegenerative disease, aged care

Leadership Roles

Member of PhD Mentoring Scheme

Post-Doctoral Co-Representative

Teaching Roles

Undergraduate modules:

Evidence Based Nursing - Level 1 (NFM 1105)

Health and Well-being - Level 1 (NFM 1101)

Postgraduate modules:

Master class workshops – PhD students

Clinical Inquiry & Applied Practice Based Research (HSN 7035) - Module Co-ordinator

Qualitative Research Methods (NUR 7010)

Post-registration modules

Models of Dementia (HSN 3031)

Current Graduate Supervision
Member of PhD Mentoring Scheme

Currently Funded Research Projects

Principle Investigator in:

Carter, G., Brazil, K., and McLaughlin, D., (2016 - 2017) Reducing Hospital Admissions of People with Dementia from Nursing Homes: The Role of Anticipatory Care Planning. Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network (GAIN)

Co-investigator in:

Brazil, K., Brown-Wilson, C. and Carter, G. (2019 - present) Scaling up the Family Carer Decision Support Intervention: A multi-site implementation evaluation. Alzheimer's Society - Implementation Grant 

Brazil, K., Brown-Wilson, C. and Carter, G. (2019 - present) Scaling up the Family Carer Decision Support Intervention: A transnational effectiveness-implementation evaluation. JPND Multinational research projects on Health and Social Care

Brazil, K., Cardwell, C, Carter, G. et al (2018 - present) Anticipatory care planning intervention for older adults at risk of functional decline. CHITIN

Brazil, K., Galway, K., McLaughlin, D., Carter, G., and Scott, A. (2013 – present) Improving palliative care in advanced dementia collaborative network. HSC R&D Office Northern Ireland.

Completed Research Projects

Research Fellow in:

Brazil, K., Clarke, M., Froggatt, K., Hudson, P., Kernohan, G., McLaughlin, D., Passmore, P. (2014- 2017). Promoting informed decision making and effective communication through advance care planning for people living with dementia and their family carers.  The Atlantic Philanthropies and HSC Public Health

Brazil, K., Galway, K., Van Der Steen, J., Watson, M. (2013 – 2014). General practitioners perceptions on palliative care for Individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other progressive dementias. Care to Know Centre, Applied Client-focused Team research Grants program, Canada.