Palliative Care Research Team

Team Members

•      Prof. Margaret O'Connor AM- Team Leader
•      Melissa Bloomer
•      Dr Debra Griffiths
•      Dr Susan Lee  
•      Dr. Louise Peters
•      Dr Kaori Shimoinaba 
•      Katrina Recoche
•      Nicole Stanes

Our research team works mainly in the areas of service systems and access, decision making, workforce and roles and resources.  We are well supported by our clinical partners:

• Peninsula Hospice Service http://www.peninsulahospice.com.au/;
• Peninsula Health http://www.peninsulahealth.org.au/; and the
• Royal District Nursing Service http://www.rdns.com.au/.

The team is led by Professor Margaret O'Connor AM, the inaugural Vivian Bullwinkel Chair in Palliative Care Nursing.

Interested in studies in palliative care?

The School of Nursing & Midwifery has major studies in palliative care at Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Nursing levels. In a flexible program, course pathways are individually planned with students during career path planning discussion. Options to undertake coursework or combinations of coursework and research are available.

Further information can be found at www.med.monash.edu.au/nursing/info-4-students/postgraduate/

We have an active group of Higher Degree students undertaking studies in topics like:

•  Issues affecting access to palliative care services for elderly Chinese people in Australia.
• Older Singaporean Chinese experiences in hospice – a phenomenological study.
• Mixed method study on Saudi Arabian nursing students experiences of their clinical education and practical environment
• Issues affecting access to palliative care for Indian people in Australia.
• Palliative care for homeless people
• Peri-natal palliative care
• Volunteers in palliative care
• Nurses recognition of and responsiveness to the dying patient in an acute setting
• The lived experience of patients with terminal illness having to relocate from acute care to long- term care settings
• Australian intensive care nurses evaluation of end of life care

Further information on research degrees is available at www.mgrs.monash.edu.au.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF TEAM MEMBERS

BOOK & BOOK CHAPTERS

O’Connor M, Aranda S, Lee S (eds), (2012), Palliative care nursing—a guide to practice. 3rd edn, Melbourne: Ausmed Publications

O’Connor M, Recoche K. (2012), ‘Hydration and nutrition issues’ in O’Connor M, Aranda S,  Lee S. (eds) Palliative care nursing—a guide to practice (3rd edn). Melbourne: Ausmed Publications.

Alde P, O’Connor M. (2011), ‘Community nurses promote older persons’ health and  provide end of life care’ in D.  Kralik & A. Van Loon (eds), Community Health Nursing in Australia.2^nd edition Melbourne, Australia: Wiley Publishing                                                                                                                       

O’Connor M. (2010), ‘Priorities for specialist palliative care: an Australian perspective’ in Gott M, Ingleton C.  (eds)

Living and dying: end of life care for older people. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 

Forrester, K. & Griffiths, D. (2010). Essentials of Law for Health Professionals, (3rd ed). Marrickville, Sydney. Elsevier.

O'Connor, M., Hudson, P. (2010). Palliative Care in Australia and New Zealand. In B. Ferrell & N. Coyle (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing. (3rd Ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press. (pp 1255-1264.)

Recoche, K., O'Connor, M., Lee, S., Tan, H. & Griffiths, D. (2009). Death, Dying and Loss. In J. Dempsey, J. French & S. Hillege (Eds.), Fundamentals of Nursing & Midwifery: A person-centred approach to care (pp484-509). Broadway, NSW: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Delany, C. & Griffiths, D. (2009). Physiotherapy & Litigation. In J. Higgs, M. Smith, G. Webb, M Skinner & A. Croker (Eds.) Contexts of physiotherapy practice. Elsevier: Sydney.

Griffiths, D. (2009). Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing Practice In R. Funnell, G. Koutoukadis & K., Lawrance, (Eds.) Tabbener's nursing care: Theory & practice, (5th ed.). Elsevier, Sydney.

O'Connor, M. (2008) An uncertain journey: coping with transitions, survival and recurrence. In: Payne P, Seymour S, Ingleton C. (eds) Palliative Care Nursing: principles and evidence for practice. 2nd edition. McGraw Hill UK

O'Connor, M. (2008) Palliative Care in the Community. In: Kralik D, van Loon A (eds). Community Nursing in Australia . Blackwell Publishing Australia .

Hudson, R., O'Connor, M. (2007) Palliative Care and Aged Care: A Guide to Practice. Ausmed Publications.

O'Connor, M. (2007) Documentary analysis and policy. In: Research Methods in Palliative Care. Addington-Hall, J., Bruera, E,. Higginson, I., Payne, S. (eds) Oxford University Press. 229-244.

Espie, L (2005). Let the children be our teacher. Tokyo, Seikaisha.  (Published in Japan and Translated into Japanese by Kaori Shimoinaba )

O’Connor, M. (2004) Ageing in place, dying in place: the clash of philosophy & practice in aged & palliative care In: Nelson, S (Ed) Ethics, Power, Practice: In sickness & in health Series. Nursing Praxis International. Bournemouth.

O’Connor, M. (2004) Transitions in status from wellness to illness, illness to wellness. In Payne, S et. al (Eds) Palliative care nursing: principles & evidence for practice. UK Open University Press.

O’Connor, M, & Aranda, S (eds) (2003)  Palliative care nursing  – a guide topractice. Second edition. Melbourne: Ausmed Publications

O’Connor, M (2003). Hydration and nutrition issues. In O’Connor M & Aranda S. Palliative care nursing  – a guide to  practice (second edition).

Griffiths, D. (2001). Consent to Surgery. In Crisp, J & Taylor, C. (Eds.), Potter & Perry's Fundamentals of Nursing, Mosby, Sydney, 1675-1677.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

2012

Rigby J, O’Connor M. (2012) ‘Retaining older staff members in care homes and hospices in England and Australia: the impact of environment.’ International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 18 (5), 235-239 

Chow Yeow Leng , O’Connor M. (2012) ‘The Lived Experience of Older Chinese Singaporeans with life-threatening illnesses in a inpatient hospice’ Progress in Palliative Care, 20(1), 19-26 

Al-Hosis K, Plummer V, O’Connor M. (2012) ‘Nursing Management in Saudi Arabia: evaluating strategies for succession planning.’ Asia-Pacific Journal of Health Management, 7 (1), 19-27 

O’Brien A, O’Connor M, Griffiths D, Bloomer M. (2012) ‘Development and measurement of palliative care cultural standards using clinical indicators’. Aust-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology, 8, 3-9

2011

Cant R, Cooper S, Chung C, O’Connor M. (2011)‘The divided self: near death experiences of resuscitated patients.’ International Emergency Nursing, 20, 88-93  

O’Connor M, Harris R, Lee S. (2011) ‘An examination of end of life care issues for people with non-malignant illnesses’. British Journal of Neuro-Science Nursing, April/May 7(2), 429-434.  

Tan H,  Wutthilert C, O’Connor M (2011) ‘Spirituality and quality of life in older people with chronic illness in Thailand.’ Progress in Palliative Care  19(4) 177-184'

2010

Hall, H., McKenna, L. & Griffiths, D. (2010). Complementary and Alternative Medicine; where's the evidence? British Journal of Midwifery, 18(7), 350-358.

Stuart, J.A., O'Connor, M., Peters, L. & Bloomer, M. (2010). The unacknowledged role of after-death care carried out by palliative care nurses. End of Life Care, 4(3), 50-55.

O'Connor, M., O'Brien, A., Griffiths, D., Poon, E., Chin, J., Payne, S. & Nordin, R. (2010). What is the meaning of palliative care in the Asia- Pacific Region? Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. Published on-line July 23, 2010. _{^{Impact Factor 0.232}}.

O'Connor, M., Abbott, J., Recoche, K. (2010). Getting the message across: Does the use of drama aid education in palliative care. Advances in Health Sciences Education, published on-line March 30, 2010.

O'Connor, M., Watts, J., Larkins, K. & Bloomer, M. (2010). Loss and Grief in the Workplace - what can we learn from the Literature? International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 3(2), 131-142.

Baker, M., Payne, S., Stanley, C., Bowen, C., Webb, p., Daveson, B., Morrey, V. & O'Connor, M. (2010). Reflecting on the long-term (Neurological) End-of-Life Conference. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 6(4), 188-190.

O'Connor, M., Davis, M. & Abernathy, A. (2010). Language, Discourse and Meaning in Palliative Medicine. Progress in Palliative Care, 18(2), 66-71.

Shanmugasundaram, S., O'Connor, M. & Sellick, K. (2010). Culturally competent care at the end of life: a Hindu perspective. End of Life Care, 4(1), 26-31.

Bloomer, M., Cross, W., Moss, C. (2010). The impact of death and dying on critical care nurses. Australian Nursing Journal. 18(3), 33.

Cross, W. & Bloomer, M. (2010). Extending boundaries: Clinical communication with culturally and linguistically diverse mental health clients and carers. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 19(4), 268-277.

O'Connor, M., Watts, J., Larkins, K. & Bloomer, M. (2010). Loss and Grief in the Workplace - what can we learn from the Literature? International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 3(2), 131-142.

O'Brien, A., Cross, W., Higgs, P., Munro, I., Bloomer, M.J. & Chou, K. (2010). Australians living with and managing hepatitis C - treatment potentials using group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT. Issues in Mental Health Nursing. 31(8), 520-524.

O'Brien, A., Cross, W., Higgs, P., Munro, I., Bloomer, M.J. & Chou, K. (2010). Developing CBT for Indigenous Australians living with Hepatitis C and mental illness. Australian Nursing Journal. 10(17), 35.

Tan, H., Wilson, A., Olver, I. & Barton, C. (2010). Recruiting palliative patients for a large qualitative study: some ethical considerations and staff dilemmas. Explore: Journal of Science and Healing. 6(3),159-165.

2009

O'Connor, M. (2009). Decrepit death as a discourse of death in older age: implications for policy. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 4(4), 263-271.

Tan, H., O'Connor, M., Miles, G., Klein, B. & Schattner, P. (2009). GP and nurses' perceptions of how after hours care for people receiving palliative care at home could be improved: a mixed methods study. BMC Palliative Care, 8(13) epub.

McCauley-Elsom, K., Gurvich, C., Lee, S., Elsom, S., O'Connor, M. & Kulkarni, J. (2009). Vulnerable populations and multicentred research. Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 18(2), 108-115.

Shanmugasundaram, S., O'Connor, M. & Sellick, K. (2009). A multicultural perspective on conducting palliative care research in an Indian population in Australia. International Journal of Palliative Nursing. 15(9), 440-445.

O'Connor, M. (2009). Understanding the influence of palliative care nursing: a global perspective. International Journal of Palliative Medicine. 15(7), 316-317.

Shanmugasundaram, S. & O'Connor, M. (2009). Palliative care services for Indian migrants in Australia: Experiences of the family of terminally ill patients. Indian Journal of Palliative Care. 15(1), 76-83.

Poon, W. & O'Connor, M. (2009). Development of palliative care in Singapore: an overview. Singapore Nursing Journal, 36(3), 48-56.

Shimoinaba, K., O'Connor, M., Lee, S. & Greaves, J. (2009). Staff grief and support sustems for Japanese health care professionals working in palliative care. Palliative and Supportive Care, 7, 245-252.

Lee,S., O'Connor, M., Chapman, Y., Hamilton, V. & Francis, K., (2009). Very Public Death: Dying of Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer (M/ARLC) in the Latrobe Valley. The International Electronic Journal of Rural and Remote Health. 9 (on-line) 1183. Available from: http://www.rrh.org.au

Ciechomski, L., Tan, H., O'Connor, M., Miles, G., Klein, B. & Schattner, P. (2009). After Hours Palliative Care Provision in Rural and Urban Victoria, Australia. The Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 4(1), 57-63.

O'Connor, M., Abbott, J., Payne S. & Demmer, C. (2009). A comparison of bereavement services provided in hospice and palliative care settings in Australia, the UK and the USA. Progress in Palliative Care, 17(2), 69-74.

O'Connor, M. & Peters, L. (2009). Palliative care nurse consultants in acute hospitals in Australia. End of Life Care. 3(1),48-53.

O'Connor, M., Erwin T. & Dawson L. (2009). A means to an end: a web-based client management system in palliative care. Health Informatics Journal, 15(1), 41-54.

Hsu, C., O'Connor, M. & Lee, S. (2009) Understandings of death and dying for people of Chinese origin. Death Studies, 33, 153-174.

Tan, H. Wilson, A. & Olver, I. (2009). Ricoeur's theory of interpretation: An instrument for data interpretation in Hermeneutic Phenomenology. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(4). epub

Tan, H., O'Connor, M., Miles, G., Schattner, P. & Klein, B. (2009, July) After hours palliative care. Austrarlian Nursing Journal, 17(1), 45.

O'Connor, M., Lee, S., Chapman, Y., Francis, K., Humphries, J. (2009, June). A very public death: Mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. Australian Nursing Journal, 16(11) 52-53.

Bloomer, M., Tiruvoipati, R., Tsiripillis, M. & Botha, J. (2009). End of life management of adult patients in an Australian metropolitan intensive care unit: A retrospective observational study. Australian Critical Care, 23(1), 13-19.

Zeitz, K., Tan, H., Zeitz, C. (2009) Crowd behaviour at mass gatherings: A literature Review. Prehospital and disaster Medicine. 24(1), 32-38.

2008

O'Connor, M. & Chapman, Y. (2008). The palliative care clinical nurse consultant: an essential link. Collegian, 15, 151-157.

Allen, S., Francis, K., O'Connor, M. & Chapman, Y. (2008). Gaining human ethics approval: a strategy for refining research studies. Monash Bioethics Review, 27(3), 54-60.

Abbott, J., O'Connor, M. & Payne, S. (2008). An Australian survey of palliative care and hospice bereavement services. The Australian Journal of Cancer Nursing, 9(2), 12-17.

O'Connor, M. (2008). "I'm just not interested in eating"; when nutrition becomes an issue in palliative care. Contemporary Nurse, 27(1), 23-28.

O'Connor, M., Peters, L. & Walsh, K. (2008). Palliative Care nurse consultants in Melbourne : a snapshot of their clinical role. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 4(7), 302-307.

Allen, S., Francis, K., Chapman, Y. & O'Connor M. (2008). The evolution of palliative care and the relevance to residential aged care: Understanding the past to inform the future. Collegian, 15(4),165-171.

Allen, S., Chapman, Y., Francis, K. & O'Connor, M. (2008). Supporting nurses to make ethically sound decisions when nursing aged care residents at the end-of-life: Using the DECIDE model. Singapore Nursing Journal, 35(2), 4-11.

Allen, S., O'Connor, M., Chapman, Y. & Francis, K. (2008). Discourses associated with nursing aged people who are dying in the Australian context: a review of the literature. International Nursing Review, 55(3), 349-354.

Allen, S., O'Connor, M., Chapman, Y. & Francis, K. (2008). Funding regimes and the implications for delivering quality palliative care within residential aged care units. The International Electronic Journal of Rural and Remote Health. 8(903) online pp.1-7.

Allen, S., O'Connor, M., Chapman, Y. & Francis, K. (2008). The implications of policy on delivering a palliative approach in residential aged care: rhetoric or reality? Contemporary Nurse, 29(2), 174-183.

Poon, W., O'Connor, M., Chow, Y., Kannusamy, P. (2008). Palliative care nursing education in Singapore. Singapore Nursing Journal, 35(4), 5-8.

Allen, S., Chapman, Y., Francis, K., & O'Connor, M. (2008). Examining the methods used for a critical ethnographic inquiry. Contemporary Nurse, 29(2), 227-235.

2007

Allen, S., Francis, K., Chapman, Y. & O’Connor, M. (2007). Multi-purpose services and palliative care – emerging challenges and possible solutions. Asia-Pacific Journal of Health Service Management, 2(3), 51-55 .

Allen, S., Chapman, Y., O'Connor, M., & Francis, K. (2007). The importance of language for nursing: does it convey commonality of meaning and is it important to do so. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24(4), 47-51

O'Connor, M., Peters, L. & Lee, S. (2007). End-of-Life Care in Private Hospitals. Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 2(3), 37-42.

O'Connor, M.  & Lee, S. (2007). Authentic performance appraisal when home is the workplace. Intenational Journal of Palliative Care, 13(12), 606-609.

Allen, S., Chapman. Y., O'Connor, M. & Francis, K. (2007). The importance of language for nursing: does it convey commonality of meaning and is it important to do so. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24(4), 47-51.

Rechoche, K., O'Connor, M. & Lee, S. (2007). Mock interdisciplinary team meetings as a forum for undergraduate education in palliative care. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Mulit-disciplinary Journal, 8(3), 79-86.

2006

O’Connor, M. & Payne, S. (2006). Discourse Analysis: examining the potential for research in palliative care. Palliative Medicine Vol 20, 8 229-834 .

O’Connor, M. & Lee, S.  (2006). “Till death us do part” – issues of fidelity in end of life care. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Ageing, 18(4), 227-245.

Hudson, P., Kristjanson, L., Ashby, M., Kelly, B., Schofield, P.,  Hudson, R., Aranda, S., O’Connor, M. & Street, A. (2006). A systematic review of the desire for hastened death in patients with advanced disease and the evidence base of clinical guidelines. Palliative Medicine, 20, 693-671.

Hudson, P., Schofield, P., Kelly, B., Hudson, R., Street, A. O’Connor, M.,   Kristjanson, L. Ashby, M. & Aranda, S. (2006)  Responding to desire to die statements from patients with advanced disease: recommendations for health professionals. Palliative Medicine 20,703-710.

Peters L. & Sellick K. (2006).  Quality of life of cancer patients receiving inpatient and home-based palliaitve care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(5), 524-533.

O'Connor M. (2006). Commentary on Trovo de Araujo M and Paes da Silva MJ (2004) Communication with dying patients: perception of intensive care units nurses in Brazil. Journal of Clinical Nursing 13, 143-149.[comment]. [Comment. Journal Article] Journal of Clinical Nursing, 15(1), 114-116.

Shanmugasundaram S., Chapman  Y., O’Connor M. (2006). Development of Palliative care in India: An Overview. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 12(4), 241-46. 

2005

Chiung-Hin Hsu, O’Connor M. & Lee S. (2005).  Issues affecting access to palliative care services for older Chinese people in Australia. ACCNS Journal of Community Nurses 10(3), 9-11.

O’Connor M.  (2005). Mission Statements: an example of exclusive language in palliative care? International Journal of Palliative Nursing 11(4), 190-196.

O’Connor M., Peters L. & Lee S. (2005). Webster C. Palliative care work, between death & discharge. Journal of Palliative Care 22(2): 97-102, 2005.

Namasivayam P, Orb, A, O’Connor, M (2005). The challenges of caring for families of the terminally ill: nurses lived experience. Contemporary Nurse, 19(1), 169.

Shimoinaba, K. (2005). Palliative Care Postgraduate Education for Nurses in Australia. The Japanese Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 15 (1), 36-39.

Shimoinaba, K. (2005). The role of CNC/CNS in Victoria, Australia. The Japanese Journal of Clinical Nursing Monthly, 31 (11).

Tan, H., Braunack-Mayer, A. & Bilby, J. (2005). The Impact of Hospice Environment on Patient Spiritual Expression. Oncology Nurses Forum, 32(5), 1049-1054.

2004

Allen, S, Francis, K, & O’Connor, M (2004). Research an exciting journey and a career statement: A means to an end, putting rurality on the nursing agenda. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 12(6),pp.279-280.

Lee Y M, Francis K, Walker J & Lee S M. (2004). What are the information needs of Chinese breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy? European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 8(3), 224-233.

O’Connor, M. (2004) Methodology for Palliative care research: evaluating palliative care and aged care policy using discourse analysis. Abstract. Palliative Medicine. 200418(4) p366

O’Connor, M. (2004)  Conferences for Researchers – why meet? Open Dialogue. International Journal of Palliative Nursing. 10(6), 278.

O’Connor, M. (2004)  What do Residential Aged care facilities say about Care of the Dying? Collegian, 11(2), 27-31.

O’Connor M, Pearson A (2004)  Ageing in place – dying in place – competing discourses for care of the dying in aged care policy. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 22(2), 31-37.

Shimoinaba, K. (2004). Nurses’ role and education for nurses working in the Palliative Care Team in Australia. Japanese Journal of Palliative Medicine. 

Shimoinaba, K. (2004). Palliative Care multi-professional approach in Australia. Symptom Management in Cancer Patients, 15 (2), 61-66.

2003

Maddocks, I, Dunne, P, O’Connor, M (2003) (eds) Palliative Care: a new dimension in healthcare. Medical Journal of Australia Vol 179(6) Supplement

Shimoinaba, K. (2003). Palliative Care in Victoria, Australia 2. The Japanese Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 13(1), 46-48.

Shimoinaba, K. (2003). Palliative Care in Victoria, Australia 3. The Japanese Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 13(2), 137-139.

CD's & MONOGRAPHS

O'Connor, M., Griffiths, D., Ives, G., Newton, J., Tan, H. (eds) (2009) From Birth to Death: clinical nursing and midwifery research across the lifespan. Melbourne, Australia. Monash University.

Cass, BA., O'Connor, M. (2009) The fragility of being cared for in the community and the decision to go to Emergency: the experience of patients receiving palliative care. In O'Connor, M., Griffiths, D., Ives, G., Newton, J., Tan, h. (eds) From Birth to Death: clinical nursing and midwifery research across the lifespan. pp 27-38 Melbourne, Australia. Monash University.

Peters, L., O'Connor, M. (2009) Caring for veterans at the end of life: the nurses' perspective. In O'Connor, M., Griffiths, D., Ives, G., Newton, J., Tan, h. (eds) From Birth to Death: clinical nursing and midwifery research across the lifespan pp39-52. Melbourne, Australia. Monash University.

Peters, L., Lee, S. (2009). Supporting staff and family communication in palliative care. In O'Connor, M., Griffiths, D., Ives, G., Newton, J., Tan, h. (eds) From Birth to Death: clinical nursing and midwifery research across the lifespan. pp 92-111. Melbourne, Australia. Monash University.

Kos, L., Lee. S. (2009). An ideal process: preparation of informal caregivers when taking a relative home for palliative care. In O'Connor, M., Griffiths, D., Ives, G., Newton, J., Tan, h. (eds) From Birth to Death: clinical nursing and midwifery research across the lifespan. pp112-127. Melbourne, Australia. Monash University.

O'Connor, M. (2004) (ed) Incontro Internazionale, exploring connections. Proceedings of the International Conference in palliative care research,Prato. Monash University, Melbourne.

O’Connor, M. (2004).  Policy Research in a political environment  in: International Palliative Care  Nursing Research Conference Proceedings, Prato, Tuscany : 8-10 June. Monash University, Frankston, Victoria.   ISBN:0-7326-2268-9Prato pp1-27

O’Connor, M, Barnett T. & Namasivayam, P. (Eds) (2004). Palliative Care: issues for health care  Professionals. A selection of edited papers presented at a palliative care conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. CeLTS, Monash University, Churchill, Victoria. ISBN: 0-7326-266-2

O’Connor, M. (2004) Palliative Care Nursing – a unique specialty? In: O’Connor M, Barnett, T, Namasivayam, P. (Eds). (2004) Palliative care: issues for health care professionals.

O’Connor, M. (2004) Directions in palliative care – looking back to lookforward. In:  O’Connor, M, Barnett, T, Namasivayam, P. (Eds)   (2004) Palliative care: issues for health care professionals.