Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42743165›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Growing palliative and end-of-life care research in the United Kingdom: Findings from a mixed methods survey.

Ikumi Okamoto, Alice Jin, Simon Noah Etkind, Donna Wakefield, Tracey McConnell, Anthony Byrne, Yesha Viren Dharamshi, Fliss Murtagh, Anne Finucane

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Ikumi OkamotoClinical Psychology, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Alice JinDepartment of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology, & Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7181-6373
Simon Noah EtkindPrimary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2863-8893
Donna WakefieldWolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.
Tracey McConnellSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom.
Anthony Byrneepartment of Palliative Medicine, Velindre University NHS Trust, Wales, United Kingdom.
Yesha Viren DharamshiClinical Psychology, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2603-8516
Fliss MurtaghWolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.
Anne FinucaneClinical Psychology, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3056-059X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGlobally the number of people with an advanced progressive illness is increasing. Research is essential to inform policy, services and clinical practice to meet their needs. We investigated researcher perspectives on conducting palliative and end-of-life care research in the United Kingdom and what is needed to grow this field.

methodsWe conducted a mixed-methods online survey of individuals conducting palliative and end-of-life care research in an academic institution or any care setting. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data from open-ended questions were analysed using a Framework Method.

resultsOverall, 256 people involved in palliative and end-of-life care research responded (80% female, 85% white, 83% aged over 35). Most worked at a university (79%), 67% worked full-time, 47% had a permanent contract and 9% were clinical academics. Many reported positive aspects of their working environment, such as a collaborative culture and research rigour. Nearly all (90%) wished to continue palliative and end-of-life care research during the next five years, however only 69% believed this was likely. Most common barriers were lack of funding (56%), heavy workload (42%), job insecurity (39%), and limited career progression opportunities (33%). To sustain and grow research activity, participants identified a need for: (i) Greater visibility of palliative and end-of-life care as a vital research field; (ii) Increased funding to support those undertaking palliative and end-of-life care research, across career stages and disciplines; (iii) Increased opportunities for collaboration and networking; (iv) Protected research time, and (v) Support to build a more diverse research community.

conclusionsDespite a committed workforce, palliative and end-of-life care research lacks visibility and funding. Increased visibility through knowledge exchange and impact activities, alongside more targeted research funding opportunities, are essential to build research capacity for the future.

Indexed as

Palliative CareTerminal CareAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited Kingdom

Identifiers

PMID42743165
PMCPMC13577371

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.