Toward a comprehensive research agenda: exploring the health economics of palliative care in Australia.

BACKGROUND

Despite significant advances in the availability and quality of palliative care globally, health economics research to understand the value of palliative care in Australian settings remains scarce. To address knowledge gaps and foster evidence-informed policy, funding and practice, this paper presents a consensus-driven research agenda for the health economics of palliative care in Australia.

METHODS

A panel of 27 Australian experts was convened, including health economists, palliative care clinicians/researchers, policy makers/government officials, and representatives from the national peak body for palliative care. Panel members completed a survey, participated in a forum and collectively drafted the research agenda.

RESULTS

The panel recommended 16 health economics research priorities across four key areas: (1) person-centred outcomes; (2) costs; (3) economic evaluation; and (4) data and metrics. Specific priorities included: comprehensively capturing the benefits of palliative care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their informal carers; understanding the diversity of preferences for palliative care across the population; capturing informal caring costs within economic evaluations; embedding economic evaluation within clinical trials and health services studies; and quantifying the extent and location of unmet palliative care needs.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper outlines high-priority research actions to generate the economic evidence required for appropriate funding and resource allocation in palliative care. The research agenda serves as a strategic tool to help researchers address gaps without duplicating efforts. By focusing on these priorities, we aim to support the development of more effective, equitable and sustainable palliative care services across Australia.