Protocol: INSPIRED Trial

Citation

Forbat E, Johnston N, Chapman M, Liu WM, Lovell C, Parker D, Lam L & Agar M (2016) Protocol: INSPIRED Trial. Australia.

Abstract
Executive summary This project aims to address core goals of the National Palliative Care Strategy, by integrating specialist palliative care into aged care. The intervention is a new model of care: whereby specialist palliative care nurses will help facilities prioritise residents who have palliative care needs. The prioritisation will occur through ‘needs rounds’ which are staff-only meetings to discuss residents who may die in the next six months. Education to staff will also be provided. Following pilot work in 2014-5, this stepped wedge trial will seek to establish whether a new model of care will: a)reduce length of stay in hospital, leading to significant cost savings b)improve residents’ ability to die in their preferred place c)improve care staff understanding of death and dying, and staff capacity d)reduce symptom burden at end of life reduces relatives' distress.

Keywords
palliative; protocol; trial; care home

Notes
Protocol for a trial for anyone interested in reading about the study design.