Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Center: Year 2

Abstract

The mission of the Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Communication and Training (RESPECT) Center is to build a collaborative, interdisciplinary scientific community of researchers and clinicians to work together to advance the science of communication in palliative and end-of-life care across the lifespan. Center Goals: • Accelerate the development of innovative descriptive and intervention research trials relevant to communication and decision-making in children, adolescents, adults, and elders with serious and/or life-threatening illness • Develop new community partnerships for translational science to enhance palliative and end-of-life care research and practice • Create mentorship opportunities for developing scholars who will become the next generation of productive, passionate palliative and end-of-life care researchers

The RESPECT Center is comprised of 18 faculty, 3 post-doctorial trainees and 3 staff members. The RESPECT Center meets twice monthly to review and discuss members’ projects, content, design, draft proposals, and brainstorming sessions. In the first year, 9 grants were submitted, 12 publications were accepted and $6,534,611 dollars awarded. In Year 1, the RESPECT center sponsored 2 visiting scholars. Finally, the RESPECT Center is funding 4 pilot projects and will continue to mentor developing scholars.