Advancing the Science of Palliative Care: Contributions of the Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group.

Abstract

The Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group (PCRC) formed to lead, catalyze, and empower a community of scientists to build an evidence base to ensure high-quality care and optimal well-being for persons with serious illness and their caregivers. The PCRC grew to 630 members representing 220 distinct sites. The PCRC awarded 44 pilot grant awards (total investment $1.4 million), resulting in $15.8 million in extramural grant funding, supported monthly webinars, an annual mentorship selective, "Clinical Trials Intensives," research consultation, and grant review. Among the 169 Clinical Trials Intensive participants, 74 subsequently achieved extramural grant award funding with direct costs of over $139 million. The PCRC supported the submission of extramural research applications and fostered community through annual meetings, special interest groups, newsletters, and its website. The PCRC filled an important void in serious illness science and set the stage for the next era of advancing serious illness research.