Donald Sullivan

Physician

Oregon Health and Science University

Palliative Care for Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Palliative care is more widely accepted today by patients and clinicians, however, one of the most significant barriers to continued growth in the field is accessibility to high-quality palliative care. This project will address this critical gap focusing on the development of a comprehensive, joint-society policy statement and learning modules that will enhance dissemination and expand training opportunities for primary palliative care delivery among pulmonary and critical care clinicians. The development of a comprehensive, joint-society multidisciplinary palliative care policy statement and accompanying educational/training modules would have considerable impact in the field and promote the delivery of high-quality primary palliative care in respiratory disease. The modules will have significant impact among pulmonary and critical care clinicians, but there is considerable potential to adapt them for use among other clinicians. Most importantly, this project is a central component of a comprehensive leadership development plan by an emerging leader in the field of palliative care among patients with respiratory diseases.

“My early clinical experiences with patients and families in the ICU helped focus my research program and interest in palliative care. Since this time, I have dedicated my career to becoming a leader in palliative care among patients with respiratory disease. I have demonstrated my current and future potential as a physician-scientist and leader in this field through my past and present leadership, research, and service activities. I seek to become a leading academic physician, physician-scientist, and leader and change agent in palliative care health policy among patients with serious illness with a focus on chronic respiratory disease. I am committed to improving the quality of care and quality of life among patients with respiratory disease through the development and dissemination of a joint-society policy statement on palliative care. This work will provide the foundation for educational and training modules to disseminate findings broadly and encourage primary palliative care among clinicians caring for patients with chronic respiratory disease. This award will advance my career and potential future impact as an academic physician-scientist, policy maker, and mentor to the next generation of palliative care researchers and leaders.”