Although there are multiple potential areas of research in palliative care, ranging from the molecular biology of pain to the spiritual care of patients and families, the NPCRC focuses on 3 specific areas: pain and symptom management, improving communication between providers and patients through rigorously designed clinical studies and health services research - specifically the evaluation of models of care for palliative care delivery.

Pain and Symptom Management

Exploring the relationship of pain and other distressing symptoms to quality and quantity of life, independence, function, and disability as well as developing interventions directed at their treatment in patients with advanced and chronic illness.

Communication

Studying methods of improving communication between adults or children living with serious illness, their families and their health care providers.

Models of Health Care Delivery

Evaluating models and systems of care for patients living with advanced illness and their families.