Research summary
Palliative care improves quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses by addressing both their physical and psycho-social symptoms. Many Canadians prefer to die at home, and hospitals are increasingly overcrowded, so providing home care for the final days of a patient’s life can not only improve care, but also be cost-effective.
Dr. Hsien Seow, Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation, is looking for ways to deliver community-based palliative care, develop cancer quality indicators for end-of-life, and improve patient and caregiver experiences. Ultimately, he and research team aim to gain insights that will benefit Canadians facing serious illnesses by transforming the health system to become more effective, quality-focused and sustainable.