This article was written by University of Otago division of health sciences communications adviser Kelsey Schutte and first appeared on the University of Otago website
Just two months since its July launch, the Palliative Care Aotearoa Research Network (PCARN) has attracted 100 members, fulfilling its mission to foster connections among palliative care researchers.
"The hope is we can create a foundation for clinical palliative care excellence in Aotearoa, connecting universities, NGOs and other research groups,” says Dr Amanda Landers, PCARN co-chair and head of the University of Otago’s Department of Medicine at the Christchurch campus.
PCARN was also set up to champion clinical research in palliative care in Aotearoa, addressing issues like a fragmented research landscape, a lack of funding support and challenges connecting clinicians and academics for project collaboration.
By building a network of early career and established palliative care researchers, PCARN can work to resolve these issues by connecting members both regionally and nationally, offering opportunities for research collaboration, mentorship, grant funding, support with ethics processes and informing on Māori health.
One of the network’s key goals is contributing to the advancement of Māori health by ensuring strong Māori representation and participation within the network.
“This will involve developing and supporting meaningful relationships and partnerships with Māori researchers and Māori providers,” says Cheryl Davies, PCARN co-chair and Tu Kotahi Māori Asthma and Research Trust Manager.
“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.”
As testimony to this sentiment, artist John Kingi (Muaūpoko, Ngati Porou), designed and gifted a tohu to PCARN named ‘Tatou Pounamu’, which will guide this kaupapa.
PCARN will hold its next biannual palliative care research hui in 2024.
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