Cancer and Palliative Care

Research Strand Members: Professor Deirdre Connolly, Dr Geraldine Foley, Dr Naomi Algeo, Dr Margaret Lawler, Ms. Hayley Connolly

Population-based needs in both cancer and palliative care are complex and continue to rise. Studies in this strand focus on designing and testing the feasibility and effectiveness of rehabilitation and supportive interventions in cancer. These include for example, interventions in cancer-related fatigue, social prescription, and return to employment/education in cancer survivorship.

The palliative care component of the strand is focused on palliative care needs in progressive and/non-curable disease, including cancer. Studies focus on the delivery of quality palliative services to people with progressive non-curable disease, and on relational decision-making between patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in palliative and supportive care.

Research Projects

Acceptability of social prescribing for men with prostate cancer

Concordance and discordance between patients and family caregivers in palliative care

Examining the effectiveness of Work and Cancer for women with breast cancer

Healthcare professionals supporting patients and caregivers in end-of-life care decision making

Identifying work-related support needs of individuals with cancer working in hospitality and retail-based occupations

Mapping Parkinson's Disease needs and services in Ireland to inform service planning

Patient and family caregiver treatment decision-making in specialist palliative care

Rehabilitation Strategies following Oesophagogastric and Hepatopancreaticobiliary Cancer (ReStOre II)

Social Prescribing for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer 

Support exchange between patients and family caregivers in palliative care

Support needs of adolescents and young adult cancer survivors for return to education and/or work