Palliative Care Aotearoa Research Network gaining momentum

20 May 2024

A network aiming to forge stronger connections between palliative care researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand is gaining momentum nine months after launching with an exciting programme of new events set for 2024.

The Palliative Care Aotearoa Research Network (PCARN) went live with its website, social media channels and e-bulletin in July last year.

We now have more than 130 members including nurses and nurse practitioners, pharmacists, doctors, and academics from all around Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our vision is to promote a culture of clinical research and enquiry across palliative care services in Aotearoa and to support new and existing clinical research in palliative care.

Championing clinical research with a multidisciplinary focus

PCARN was set up to champion clinical research in palliative care in Aotearoa New Zealand and to address challenges, such as the fragmented research landscape and the lack of funding support for researchers.

By building a network of early career and established palliative care researchers, we are working to resolve these hurdles by connecting members both regionally and nationally, offering opportunities for research collaboration, mentorship, and support with ethics approval processes.

One of our important initial projects has been establishing regional representatives, who are members’ local points of contact. So far, 13 people from across the North and South Islands have volunteered to take on this role.

The regional representatives will connect people looking to get involved in research with those already working on projects, as well as passing on information from the PCARN committee around palliative care policy, upcoming conferences, and research opportunities.

Fostering partnerships with Māori researchers

We also aim to contribute to the advancement of Māori health by ensuring strong Māori representation and participation within the network.

PCARN Co-chair and Tu Kotahi Māori Asthma and Research Trust Manager Cheryl Davies said “This will involve developing and supporting meaningful relationships and partnerships with Māori researchers and Māori providers.”

“We understand that this is such an important part of the process, and it may take some time for this to happen. However, it is our hope for the future that we will increase the number of Māori members on PCARN and, as a collective, we will contribute to building a highly skilled palliative care Māori health research workforce.”

Events focus for 2024

With our focus on connection, we plan to host a number of events this year - both in person and online - where members can grow their personal networks.

We are holding our biannual hui on Sunday 3 November in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

The hui has an exciting programme of speakers including Massey University Associate Professor Sunia Foliaki, Capital, Coast, and Hutt Valley Physiotherapist and Improvement and Innovation Adviser, Daniel Begley, as well as University of Otago Professor and Palliative Medicine Physician Sinéad Donnelly.

Sessions will focus on research methodology and quality improvement. There will also be a research “pecha kucha” where those undertaking projects will have the opportunity to showcase their work.

We also plan to expand our offerings to members through a series of webinars later this year. The aim of the webinars is to address commonly experienced challenges with clinical research, for example, the ethics approval process and tips on conducting qualitative research.

We are excited at the prospect of welcoming new members to PCARN and we look forward to meeting everyone at the biannual PCARN hui on 3 November. Nau mai, haere mai. Cheryl Davies, PCARN Co-Chair.