Patient and Family Engagement

After researching and co-writing an international ecologic scan of palliative care service delivery and end-of-life/hospice care with the Project Coordinator, KGH hired me to conduct a major qualitative research project to inform palliative care redesign at the hospital and regional cancer centre. Working with an interdisciplinary team and KGH’s Patient and Family Engagement Committee, I facilitated the development and execution of a research project to better understand the needs, wants and values of KGH patients, proxies and caregivers dealing with life limiting illness(es). Participants were recruited from oncology (colorectal patients), respirology (COPD), renal (on dialysis) and cardiology. I facilitated interview question development with the Committee; developed the sampling and recruitment strategy; developed introductory letters and consent forms and coordinated the submission to the Queen’s Health Sciences Ethics Review Board; qualitative analysis of the interviews (n 25 patients, n 26 proxies and caregivers); and wrote the draft research results for the PI.

Recipient of the “Team Award for Knowledge” (producing new knowledge and sharing it with others to achieve ‘outstanding care, always’) from Kingston General Hospital for the Palliative Care Re-design project.