Building a community of people who care about improving palliative care research together

Kasia Patynowska has moved research “out of the lab” and into the homes of patients. Her journey demonstrates how supported research pathways for frontline staff improve both workforce retention and patient experience. Kasia is a nurse who works in end-of-life/palliative care, an Ulster University PhD Researcher, and an awardee of doctoral funding from HSC R&D NI Public Health Agency. Funded by HSC R&D NI, her research develops workplace peer-support interventions for healthcare assistants (HCAs) delivering palliative care in the community.

By investigating the wellbeing of these often-isolated lone workers, Kasia has moved research “out of the lab” and into the homes of patients. Her journey demonstrates how supported research pathways for frontline staff improve both workforce retention and patient experience.

This work provides clear public benefit in line with the CRDC communications framework by directly enhancing the quality and sustainability of end-of-life care across the UK.