University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Palliative Care

Research

The Program in Palliative Care Research aims to conduct high impact research focused on assessing and treating the physical, psychological and spiritual symptom distress associated with serious illness, enhancing quality of life and well-being, improving alignment between goals of care and treatment plans in the setting of an unpredictable prognosis, addressing caregiver needs, and improving management of transitions across multiple care settings. Aligning with the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommendations that palliative care research become a U.S. national priority, we aim to continue to grow and strengthen our robust program of research in palliative care clinical trials, expertise in health services research, dissemination and implementation methodology, conducting high impact national survey studies, and rigorous qualitative research.

Training

Although the science of palliative care is rapidly developing, research training opportunities lag behind, leaving important gaps for the science and the research workforce of the future. Our program aims to address the persistent need for a pipeline of well-trained scientists positioned to advance the field of palliative care, ultimately improving care for persons with serious illness. A particular strength of the University of Colorado T32 program is preparing postdoctoral trainees from multiple disciplines to develop, refine, and test aging and palliative care interventions using the NIH Stage Model.

Palliative Care and Aging Research Training (T32)

Stacy Fischer, MD
Director of Palliative Care Research Program
Professor

Dr. Fischer has devoted her academic career to understanding palliative care outcomes and the impact of social determinants of health for diverse populations in the setting of serious advanced illness. She is currently a PI on a clinical trial testing Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for adults with serious cancers to improve anxiety, depression, and existential distress, the first psychedelic study NCI has funded. She is also currently MPI on an NIA funded multi-site epidemiological study of Medical Aid in Dying. In addition to mentoring post-doctoral trainees and early career faculty, Dr. Fischer is a Co-Program Leader for Cancer Prevention and Control at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Link to Profile

Jean Kutner, MD, MSPH
Founding Director of Palliative Care Research Program
Distinguished Professor

Dr. Kutner’s research involves measurement of and interventions for complex outcomes, such as symptom distress, quality of life, depression, and grief, in older adults and their family caregivers. Dr. Kutner has led independent clinical trials funded by NCI, NPCRC, NCCAM and mentored post-doctoral trainees, early and mid-career faculty funded through foundational grants and NIH. Dr. Kutner was PI on an NIA K07 award that developed the infrastructure and relationships necessary to create the University of Colorado Program in Palliative Care Research (PPCR). Dr. Kutner’s major contributions to the field of palliative care research are the development of the Population-based Palliative Care Research Network (PoPCRN) and, more recently, the NINR-funded Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group (PCRC).