Research is a cornerstone of progress in every medical discipline and is especially vital in the young and evolving field of hospice and palliative care. It drives advancements in quality of care, fosters growth in clinical skills, and translates evidence into practical bedside interventions that profoundly impact patients and families living with serious illness. Recognizing this, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is taking significant steps to promote research as a key strategic priority. The recent appointment of Stacy Fischer, MD, as the Academy’s first science advisor, the creation of the Serious Illness Research Consultant Center (SIRCC), support for early-career investigators to attend the Annual Kathleen Foley Palliative Care Retreat and Research Symposium, and our advocacy for enhanced funding for the field all underscore a commitment to evidence-based care and a brighter future for patients in need of compassionate, high-quality palliative care.
Impacting Quality and Growing Clinical Skills
Dr. Fischer’s research has been focused on pushing the field forward into new areas such as the study of patient navigation approaches that promote equity, understanding decision making at the end of life, and studying the safety and efficacy of psychedelics in palliative care. In addition to being a highly accomplished researcher herself, she is a beloved mentor and practicing clinician. She has also been an active volunteer leader at AAHPM, serving on the research committee, State of the Science planning committee, and recently cochairing the State of the Science in 2024. With her extensive expertise and passion for advancing the field, Dr. Fischer is uniquely positioned to guide AAHPM’s research agenda, strengthen key partnerships, and solidify the Academy’s role as the professional home for serious illness researchers. We are grateful for the collaboration with Laura Hanson, MD MPH, and Areej El-Jawahri, MD, who have contributed diverse perspectives toward a vision to support science and researchers within the Academy, enriching this effort to train and support current future scientific leaders in hospice and palliative care.
Complementing Dr. Fischer’s appointment is the launch of a 12-month SIRCC pilot program. This initiative pairs early-career investigators with seasoned mentors, providing critical support in research methodology, grant writing, and project development. By fostering the next generation of leaders, AAHPM is creating a robust foundation for the future of palliative care research.
Evidence-Based Solutions and the Future of Practice
The field of hospice and palliative care is continually evolving, with new evidence shaping clinical practices to ensure patients receive the best possible care. Research directly impacts the quality of care by identifying gaps, testing interventions, and implementing evidence-based practices that can improve outcomes. It equips clinicians with the knowledge and tools to deliver person-centered care tailored to the complex needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses.
AAHPM supported 7 investigators to attend the Annual Kathleen Foley Palliative Care Retreat and Research Symposium. At the retreat, they were able to present their work, be in community with other early career investigators, and learn from experienced researchers in our field. The work of the research scholars is inspiring and has me incredibly excited about the future of our field.
Supporting the dissemination of findings generated through rigorous studies can innovate and improve practice, ultimately transforming care delivery for people with serious illness. Our 2025 Annual Assembly will feature two important plenaries that I encourage you to attend. On Friday, February 7, we have invited Dr. Jennifer Temel and Dr. Joseph Greer, who served as co-principal investigators for two practice-changing clinical trials. Joining them will be a panel that includes a patient who participated in one of the trials, a nurse investigator, and a physician who ran one of the 22 sites in the REACH trial. The REACH study was a comparative effectiveness trial that demonstrated the efficacy of early palliative care delivered via video vs in-person visits on quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer. I was fortunate to participate in these trials and am truly amazed by the work of our field. Scores of interdisciplinary clinicians participated in this study from 22 different sites. The REACH trial not only demonstrated the efficacy of video visits but also clearly demonstrated that large-scale practice-changing research can be done in our field. The State of the Science plenary on Saturday morning, February 8, will feature presentations of the top-rated scientific abstracts, further demonstrating the exciting progress of our field.
By investing in research, AAHPM is fostering an environment where new ideas and innovative practices can emerge, ultimately leading to better symptom management, more effective communication, and enhanced support for patients and families. To learn more about AAHPM’s current research programs, visit aahpm.org/research-qi.
Vicki Jackson, MD
AAHPM President
