From our Director

We have brought together an extraordinary group of researchers leading clinical trials, knowledge reviews, digital studies, community research and national projects. The purpose of this work is to make a difference to clinicians and to Australians who are affected by the need for palliative care.

We have also seen the first group of RePaDD PhDs complete their studies and would like to congratulate Dr Raechel Damarell, Dr Amanda Adams, Dr Julie Brose, and Dr Paul Tait. They have not only helped build the evidence base for care but are building the sector’s research capability to address critical issues in the future.

Sarah Thomas, our Centre Manager, has driven our profile with newsletters, website content and social media, and an active seminar series which provides an opportunity to promote our research and make our researchers aware of other activity within the sector. All of this means that, as a Centre, not only are we well placed to meet the requirements for continuing centre endorsement, but to meet the needs of the palliative care community too.

RePaDD updates

Findings from a study looking at equity consideration in the national and South Australian palliative care policies and programs

A blog post written by Dr. Sara Javanparast (@JavanparastSara), Research Fellow at RePaDD, for CareSearch

My recent study aimed to review key national and South Australian palliative care policy and program documents and examine the extent to which they are equity oriented. We included national and South Australian documents published over the last five years and conducted five individual interviews with key informants in South Australia to explore their views about equity in palliative care and the role of evidence and research priorities that can inform palliative care policy and practice in the future.

Diversity considerations for older Australians receiving aged care and palliative care

A blog post written by Dr. Georgia Rowley (@dr_diaspora) for CareSearch

Australia’s future population will age with increasing diversity markers, with implications for aged care and palliative care service provision. Workforce access to up to date, relevant and evidence informed information on best practice non-clinical support for individuals from diverse backgrounds towards the end of life is required. This blog reflects on the development and utilisation of informational webpages for the aged care workforce supporting diverse populations.

Congratulations to the following RePaDD Members who were recently awarded grants by the Department for Health and Wellbeing:

• Research Fellow Dr Sara Javanparast, in partnership with Carers SA, has been awarded to investigate the experience of palliative patient unpaid carers accessing support services that assist them in their caregiving role, while helping them to maintain their own health and wellbeing.
• Dr Deidre Morgan has received funding to develop resources which aim to improve provision of intimate hygiene in residential aged care facilities.
• Dr Gwyn Jolley, Deputy Chair and Secretary of Healthy Cities Onkaparinga, a not-for-profit organisation, in collaboration with the Southern Vales Compassionate Communities (SVCC). Dr Jolley and Kristina Walsh, Chair of the SVCC, are both members of RePaDD at Flinders University. They have been awarded to develop Onkaparinga Compassionate Communities – a project that aims to build support communities for those at the end-of-life within the City of Onkaparinga, to help them feel more connected, aware, and equipped to receive care and support.

In partnership with Carers SA, RePaDD is conducting a study to explore the experience of unpaid family and friend Carers of palliative patients about their access to information and services that they need in their caring role and in maintaining their own health and wellbeing.

We are looking for unpaid Carers of family member or friend in South Australia who are 18 years or older and provide care to an adult palliative patient in South Australia. If you meet these criteria and can set aside some time to take part in an individual interview session and a small group discussion, please contact Kathy Boschen at Flinders University for more information and to register your interest.

Financial compensation of $30 provided for participation in each session.

End-of-Life Essentials launches new education

End-of-Life Essentials (EOLE) has launched a new learning platform and three new modules to further provide health professionals with education and resources to assist in delivering quality end-of-life care. The modules include: 

1. Meeting the Standards – Whatever your role, learn more about the end-of-life care elements in the NSQHS Comprehensive Care Standards.
2. Clinical Change Management begins with having a good understanding of the hospital where you work, and the level of end-of-life care.
3. The Importance of Coordinating Patient Care – learn more about coordinating care within and beyond the hospital.

All learners will need to newly register to the EOLE education, (even if they have used EOLE resources before).

Published research

Equity consideration in palliative care policies, programs, and evaluation: an analysis of selected federal and South Australian documents

Inequity in access to palliative care and symptom relief is one of the greatest disparities in global health care. A public health approach to palliative...Read More

NDIS Participants with Psychosocial Disabilities and Life-Limiting Diagnoses: A Scoping Review

This research aimed to map evidence about system supports and gaps for Australians with psychosocial disabilities and life-limiting diagnoses...Read More

Family carer needs in advanced disease: systematic review of reviews

To identify the most commonly expressed needs of family carers of people with an advanced disease, assess the quality of current evidence, and...Read More

The Complexities of Prescribing Assistive Equipment at the End of Life—Patient and Caregivers’ Perspectives

Ongoing participation in valued and essential everyday activities remains a priority for people with advanced disease. This study sought to understand...Read More

Events

End of Life, Wellness & Care Expo

RePaDD Member Dr Gwyn Jolley, as part of Healthy Cities Onkaparinga, is holding an End of Life, Wellness & Care Expo at the Woodcroft & Morphett Vale Neighbourhood Centre on Thursday 22 September, 2pm to 6pm.

RePaDD Member Kristina Walsh will also be in attendance with the Southern Vales Compassionate Communities, along with many other stallholders that are relevant to living well and making choices about end-of-life and dying well.

RePaDD Seminar Series

The RePaDD lunchtime seminars, held fortnightly on Tuesdays from 12.30-1.30pm, is a free series open to all, focussed research implications for palliative care, death and dying across the community, and health and social systems. You can catch up on past seminars here. 

Upcoming Seminars:

13 September 2022: Death Doulas: Work undertaken by Flinders University and the Australian Palliative Care Peaks CEO Network
Deb Rawlings, Senior Lecturer Palliative Care, and Shyla Mills, Incoming CEO of Palliative Care South Australia

27 September 2022: End-of-Life Essentials PCNA Presentation
Associate Professor Kim Devery

11 October 2022: End-of-life literacy in aged care
Dr Kelly Jones

You can register for the series at Eventbrite. For further information on this series, email us at repadd@flinders.edu.au. 

Want to contribute to the RePaDD Review? 
Please submit your story or feedback to repadd@flinders.edu.au