Research Statement

The purpose of my program of research is to assess and promote quality care for family carers and patients as they near the end-of-life.  My research focusses on the structure, process, and outcomes in service delivery. As part of this work I examine how personal, social, and environmental  factors affect care.   This work is designed to assist in the development, evaluation and translation of new and innovative interventions to improve access, quality  and outcomes in this population.

Research Interests

Health services research, health systems research, chronic illness, palliative care,  aged care, supportive cancer care, organizational change, ethics, and research methodology

Teaching

Evidence based nursing – level 3 (NFY3005), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast

Post Graduate Diploma Specialist Practice (Oncology Nursing), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast. 

 Issues in Dementia Care – (HSN3022), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast

 Model of Dementia Care – (HSN3031), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast

Current Projects

Co-investigator, Feasibility Study of an On-Line Intervention for Family Caregivers of Residential-Living Frail Older Persons. Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network, Canada (Principal Investigator: Duggleby W, Co-investigators: Ploeg  J, McAiney C, Parmar J,  Holroyd-Leduc J, Peacock S,   Nekolaichuk C,  Ghosh S, Forbes  D, Kassalainen  S)  2016-2017.

Co-investigator, Reducing hospital admissions of people with dementia in nursing homes: The role of anticipatory care planning. GAIN: Guidelines and Audit Implementation Network (Principal Investigator: McLaughlin D, Co-investigators:  Carter G) 2016

Co-investigator, Advance care planning with older adults who have end-stage kidney diseases. Feasibility of a deferred entry randomised controlled trial incorporating a mixed methods process evaluation. The Dunhill Medical Trust  (Principal Investigator: O’Halloran P, Co-investigators: Noble H, Fogarty P, Murtagh F, Brown J, Shields J, Mordon S) 2015-2017

 Co-investigator, Partnering together to improve palliative care in Long Term Care. Co-funding from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Partnerships in Health System Improvement; Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions; Manitoba Health Research Council; Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care; Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation  (Principal Investigator: Kaasalainen S,  Co-investigator: Costello A, Hunter P, Neves P, Sussman T, Thompson G, Venturato L. Co-Investigators: Akhtar-Danesh N, Bourgeois-Guérin V,  Chochinov H, dal Bello-Haas V, Duggleby W, Earl M, Goodridge D, Hadjistavropoulos T, Holtslander L, McCleary L, McClement S, O’Leary J, Papaioannou A, Parker D, Ploeg J, Sinclair S, Strachan P, Thorpe L, Touchette C, Trinidad G, You J, Young L.) 2015-2018.

Co-investigator, ‘Improving Palliative Care in Long Term Care Homes Using Participatory Action Research’. Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network, Canada  (Principal investigator: Kassalinen S,  Co-investigators: Sussman T, Neves P, O’Leary J, Akhtar-Danesh N, Brazil K, Bonifas R, Bourgeois Guérin V, dal Bello-Haas V, Earl M, Kelley ML, McCleary L, McKee M, Papaioannou A, Parker D, Ploeg J, Sinclair S, Strachan P, Thompson G, Venturato L, Wickson-Griffiths A, You J, Young L) 2015-2017

Principal Investigator, “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  (Co-investigators: Clarke M, Froggatt K, Hudson P, Kernohan G, McLaughlin D, Passmore P) 2014-2016

Co-Lead, “Costs and effectiveness of UK palliative care day services: a three-centre mixed methods study of impact upon patients and family carers”. Marie Curie Cancer Care Research  (Project lead: Kernohan G, Co-investigators: Hasson F, McCorry N, Coast J, McIlFatrick S) 2014-2017

Co-investigator, ‘Pain assessment and management for persons with advanced dementia nearing the end of life’. The Atlantic Philanthropies and HSC Public Health (Principal Investigator: Parsons C, Co-investigators: Bannin De Witt J, Passmore P, McIlfatrick S, Watson M, Morgan S, Maxwell D, Buchanan H.) 2014-2017.