Prospective study of Medical Emergency Team calls to define issues of end of life decision making [ 2009 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Meera Agar (Principal investigator) ,  Louise Elliot ,  Prof Kenneth Hillman

Brief description A Medical Emergency Team (MET) is a specialised team of doctors and nurses from the Intensive Care Unit who urgently come to patients on the general wards whose medical condition is very unstable. They have to make crucial decisions about their treatment in a very short time. The previous research in this area has been focussed on improving medical outcomes, however it is also apparent that the patients having MET calls are often seriously ill with life limiting illnesses. This study aims to explore the broader aspects of care at this time, which are of paramount importance to patients and their families, such as various aspects of communication, particularly focusing on changing goals of care; and also the symptoms that may be causing significant distress for the patient. This project will provide information that will assist development of interventions that will both aim to improve quality of life and also communication in the setting of medical emergencies in patients with life limiting illness.

Funding Amount $AUD 48,700.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Strategic Awards

Notes Palliative Care Research