Research

The gold standard of modern medicine is evidence-based care. Yet research is also needed to establish the foundation of hospice and palliative care, a sub-specialty dedicated to helping people and their loved ones through the most vulnerable final stages of life. Leveraging the expertise we have developed since our founding in 1977, Capital Caring began building the infrastructure to directly contribute to the evidence base in 2009.

Capitalizing upon our position in the Nation’s capital, proximity to many academic medical centers, and personal relationships with leading experts in many disciplines, we are building a powerful program of cutting edge research. These efforts are intended to improve the quality, management, and outcomes of hospice and palliative care health services at home and in the community, as well as inform federal and state policies that affect service delivery and access.

The Research Department’s four main areas:

  1. Clinical trials of medications and interventions relevant to patients in hospice and palliative care. (To learn more about participating in clinical trials, click here)
  2. Health services research to enhance knowledge and understanding of the financing, organization, delivery, and outcomes of the interdisciplinary health services provided at Capital Caring.
  3. Program evaluation of education and quality improvement initiatives.
  4. Training and mentoring staff in research and dissemination methods, such as physicians participating in our ACGME-accredited Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship.

Peer-reviewed publications

  • Clinic-based outpatient palliative care before hospice is associated with longer hospice length of service. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. October 2014.
  • Opioid prescribing practices before and after initiation of palliative care in outpatients. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. June 2013, Vol. 45, No. 6, p1107.
  • Patterns in Place of Death. PC-FACS in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. September 2013 Vol. 46, No.3, p460.
  • The Cost of Hope: a candid roundtable discussion. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2013 May;11(5 Suppl):633-5.
  • Closing the gap in hospice care for African Americans in Washington, DC.

Reach out to one of our care experts today.