Antea Worldwide Palliative Care Conference

Rome, 12-14 November 2008

ABSTRACT FORM

Presenting author THE INTEGRATION BETWEEN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN

Kate Flemming
Email:
kaf1@york.ac.uk
Phone
Mobile phone
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abstract
• Pain and other symptoms
• Palliative care for cancer patients
• Palliative care for non cancer
patients
• Paediatric palliative care
• Palliative care for the elderly
• The actors of palliative care
• Latest on drugs
• Pain
• Illness and suffering through
media
• Marginalisation and social stigma
at the end of life
• Palliative care advocacy projects
END-OF-LIFE RESEARCH
Authors (max 6, presenting author included): Kate Flemming
Evaluations of interventions in palliative care using quantitative research methods are an
important part of advancing the speciality and creating the evidence base for delivery of care. One
of the most rigorous methods for establishing the effectiveness of interventions is the randomised
controlled trial (RCT). RCTs are notoriously difficult to conduct in palliative care for a variety of
methodological reasons. Employing additional research methodologies, such as qualitative
research, in the planning and execution of trials has been viewed as increasingly relevant. Mixed
methods research which combines qualitative research and RCTs offers a potential solution to
problems experienced when using RCT methods alone. The presentation will discuss the specific
roles qualitative research can play within the processes involved in a trial from the unique aspect
of palliative care. These include study planning, conduct and implementation. The presentation
will then explore how mixed methods have been used in palliative care research by describing a
search of the trials included in six Cochrane Systematic Reviews (n=146) for the incorporation of
qualitative research. Only one trial undertook qualitative research. These findings reflect some of
the challenges facing mixed methods research, which include lack of experience in a research
team and difficulties in publishing.
There is also increasing interest in combining systematic reviews of effectiveness with syntheses
of qualitative research. The presentation will discuss some aspects of this new methodology and
will outline a case study of a combined qualitative and quantitative synthesis on the use of
morphine to treat cancer pain.
The presentation will conclude that whilst combining qualitative and quantitative research is not
a panacea to methodological problems in palliative care research, with careful planning and
integration the approach may enhance the clinical utility of research, which in turn may improve
patient care.

• Prognosis and diagnosis

communication in
different cultures
• Communication between doctor-
patient and patient-
equipe
• Religions and cultures versus
suffering, death and
bereavement
• Public institution in the world:
palliative care policies
and law
• Palliative care: from villages to metropolies

• Space, light and gardens for the terminally ill patient

• End-of-life ethics
• Complementary therapies Session: Education, Training and Research
• Education, training and research
• Fund-raising and no-profit Chair of the session: Dott. Franco Toscani
• Bereavement support
• Volunteering in palliative care
• Rehabilitation in palliative care