Research

Hospice of the Western Reserve actively engages in interdisciplinary research to advance the science of hospice and palliative care. Ultimately, it is our goal to improve the care of patients with advanced illness and their families. Currently, Hospice of the Western Reserve is involved in collaborative research with area universities, such as Case Western Reserve University and Kent State University.

Research Collaborative

Established in 2010, the mission of the Hospice of the Western Reserve Research Collaborative is to create and foster a transdisciplinary culture of scholarly activity and palliative care research.

Our Objectives

• To influence and advance practice and policy through research and education. 
• To promote collaborations with academic, societal, and scientific communities. 
• To create an environment that supports inquiry, scholarly endeavors, and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth and development.

Current Research

Randomized Trial of an HIV navigation program for early Palliatice Care
RO1: NR014059 – NIH
Principal Investigator: Jacquelyn Slomka, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University

Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial of Continuing versus Discontinuing Statins
Duke University
Principal Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Research Associate, The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Multicenter Study ot Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of JNJ-42160443 as Adjunctive Therapy in Subjects With Cancer Related Pain, Followed by an Open Label Extension Phase
Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Research & Development LLC
Principal Investigator: Charles Wellman, MD, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Previous Research

Physician’s Views and Practices Regarding Palliative Sedation for Existential Suffering in Terminally Ill Patients 
Principal Investigator: Beth Shapiro, MSSA, PhD, LISW-S, ACHP-SW, Social Worker, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Understanding the Meaning of Being a Veteran Enrolled in Hospice Care
Principal Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Research Associate, The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Fixed Dose of Subcutaneous Methylnaltrexone in Adults with Advanced Illness and Opioid-Induced Constipation: Efficacy, Safety, and Additional Health Outcomes
AstraZeneca & Quintiles
Principal Investigator: Charles Wellman, MD, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Understanding the Associations of Comfort and Relatedness States for Life-Closure among In-Patient and Home Hospice Patients
Principal Investigator: Dana Hansen, RN, ACHPN, PhD, Case Western Reserve University

Methylnaltrexone for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Advanced Illness (double-blind & open label)
Salex, Wyeth, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Principal Investigator: Charles Wellman, MD, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer, Hospice of the Western Reserve

The Role of Forgiveness in End-of-Life Care
The Fetzer Institute
Principal Investigator: Julie Juola Exline, PhD, Case Western Reserve University
Co-Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Research Associate, The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

The Role of Forgiveness in Bereavement
The Fetzer Institute
Principal Investigator: Briana Root, PhD(c), Case Western Reserve University
Co-Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Research Associate, The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Hospice Employees Who Care for a Family Member Receiving Hospice Care
Principal Investigator: Jennifer Martnick, RN, MSN(c), Hospice of the Western Reserve

Forgiveness Intervention for Veterans Enrolled in Hospice Care
NIH/NINR
Principal Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Research Associate, The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Strategies of Adolescents’ Parents in Hospice Care
Principal Investigator: Denice Sheehan, Kent State University
If you have a patient who may qualify for this study, please call 216.245.7089.

Understanding the Meaning of Social Well-Being at the End of Life
Principal Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University, Research Associate The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Relationships among Communicative Acts, Social Well-Being, and Spiritual Well-Being, on the Quality of Life at the End of Life in Patients with Cancer Enrolled in Hospice
Principal Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Research Associate, The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Effectiveness of Palliative Care Integration in a Community Oncology Center
Funded by R25 CA-90355-01 NIH/NCI
Principal Investigator: Maryjo Prince-Paul, PhD, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Research Associate, The Hospice Institute, Hospice of the Western Reserve

Family Assessment Collaboration to Enhance End-of-Life Support (FACES)
Principal Investigator: Aloen Townsend

Research Instruments

The End of Life Library offers resources to help researchers identify measurement instruments. Learn more…