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.

Mission 

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 create an environment that supports inquiry, scholarly endeavors, and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth and development.

To promote collaborations with academic, societal, and scientific communities. 

To influence and advance practice and policy through research and education. 

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. 

Current Research 

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Study of Sativex Oromucosal Spray (Sativex; Nabiximols) as Adjunctive Therapy in Relieving Uncontrolled Persistent Chronic Pain in Patients with Advanced Cancer, Who Experience Inadequate Analgesia During Optimized Chronic Opioid Therapy

GW Pharma LTD

Principal Investigator: Charles Wellman MD, FAAHPM, Chief Medical Officer Hospice of the Western Reserve
​Previous Research
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

 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

 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

Progenics, Salix, Wyeth, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

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

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 

We Can Help

Speak with the referral team by contacting us seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Any first visit and admission can be made the first day.

Northern Ohio's Hospice of Choice

More than 1,000 Hospice of the Western Reserve employees and 3,000 volunteers live and work side-by-side in the same neighborhoods with our patients and families. We are privileged to have cared for more than 100,000 Northern Ohioans since our inception.