Recent research from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University suggests that nearly one-third of people who died from cancer in NSW received hospital care that could be classified as “potentially burdensome” in the month leading up to their death.

At a time when people and families are wanting to maximise ‘quality of life’ many patients are being directed to actions that result in little or no benefit and soak up precious time and opportunities.

Research lead, Professor Rebecca Mitchell believes well-designed palliative care can reduce potentially burdensome end-of-life care while supporting patients with pain and symptom control, helping them spend their last days in a place of their choice and their and their social, emotional, and spiritual needs heard and fulfilled.

The data also points to the limited access some people and communities have to ‘care at home’ when managing life and death with cancer.

Listen to Prof Mitchell as she takes us through her research findings and opens a conversation that will shape your work and support those important conversations you have with people and their loved ones as the end of life gets closer. Watch the recording of the webinar below.

Meet the expert:
Professor Rebecca Mitchell leads the Health and Societal Outcomes research stream at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation at Macquarie University. She is a psychologist and epidemiologist and her research focuses on the conduct of large-scale research to guide improvements in health service delivery and health policy.