Palliative Care

Palliative Care

Group Leader:
Associate Professor Paul Glare

Members:
Dr Katherine Clark
Dr Ghauri Aggarwal

Research Overview
There is an active research program in the Dept of Palliative Care at RPAH that is focussing on aspects of symptom control and on prognostication.  The main two symptoms that we are studying are the anorexia-cachexia syndrome and dyspnea.

2006/2007 Highlights
Completed NHMRC Palliative Care Grant on nutrition and systematic inflammation in advanced cancer

Completed Australian Government grant on predictors of a home death in cancer patients

Continued as a lead site in international NHMRC/NIH funded controlled trial of oxygen versus air for breathlessness in advanced disease

Nominated as lead site for new national palliative care clinical trial collaborative

Received new NHMRC Palliative Care funding to study the treatment of the anorexia cachexia syndrome

Invited to participate in international workshop on prognostication in Canada

Publications 2006/2007
1. Glare P. Walsh D. Sheehan D. The adverse effects of morphine: a prospective survey of common symptoms during repeated dosing for chronic cancer pain. [Journal Article] American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care. 23(3):229-35, 2006 Jun-Jul.

2. Currow D, Plumer J, Cooney N, Gorman D, Glare P. A randomized, double-blind, multi-site, crossover, placebo-controlled equivalence study of morning versus evening once-daily sustained-release morphine sulfate in people with pain from advanced cancers.  J. Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Jul;34(1):17-23.

3. Hancock K, Clayton J, Parker S, Walder S, Butow P, Carrick S, Currow D, Ghersi D, Glare P, Haggerty R, Tattersall M, Discrepant Perceptions About End-of-Life Communication: A Systematic Review. J Pain Symptom Mange. 2007 Aug;34(2):190-200.

4. Parker S, Clayton J, Hancock K, Walder S, Butow P, Carrick S, Currow D, Ghersi D, Glare P, Haggerty R, Tattersall M. A systematic review of prognostic/end-of-life communication with adults in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness: patient/caregiver preferences for the content, style, and timing of information. J. Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Jul;34 (1):81-93.

5. Clark K, Greaves J, Sung E, Glare P. Development and Introduction of a Pain Score Documentation Chart in the Acute Oncology Setting. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology  2007;3:89-94

6. Clayton JM, Butow PN, Tattersall MH, Devine RJ, Simpson JM, Aggarwal G, Clark KJ, Currow DC, Elliot LM, Lacey J, Lee PG, Noel M. Randomised Controlled Trial of a Prompt List to Help Advanced Cancer Patients and their Caregivers to ask Questions about Prognosis and End-of-Life Care. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007;25:715-723

7. Nattress K, Beale P, Clark K, Carter J, Darylmple C, Waters A. The Complex Care Needs of Women With Ovarian Cancer. International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer 2006:16 (supplement 3): 801-802

8. Clark KJ Commentary on “New Insights into the therapeutic potential of non-invasive transcranial cortical stimulation in chronic neuropathic pain (editorial) by Lefaucheur JP”. Progress in Palliative Care 2006;112:11-3

9. Currow D, Clark K. Emergencies in Palliative and Supportive Care. Oxford University Press 2006, Oxford, UK