Research medal for palliative care research specialist

Research medal for palliative care research specialist

Palliative care and gerontology research specialist, Professor Merryn Gott from the University of Auckland was (jointly) awarded this year’s Research Medal from the NZ Association of Scientists.

Over the last 20 years Professor Gott has developed a unique programme of research investigating how to reduce suffering at the end of life within the context of a rapidly ageing population and constrained health budgets.

She is a Professor of Health Sciences in the School of Nursing with an MA from Oxford and a PhD from the University of Sheffield She holds several senior positions at the University of Auckland including as the Associate Deputy Vice-chancellor of Research for the University and Director of Research at the School of Nursing.

Her research has resulted in more than 120 publications in peer reviewed journals - with 40 papers published in the last two years alone.

Professor Gott’s standing was acknowledged by an invitation to edit an international book, ‘International Perspectives on Palliative and End of Life Care for Older People’ published by Oxford University Press, which has been recognised as a ground-breaking work in its field.

Not only is her work highly cited, but it has also influenced policy and led to real changes in health and social care services for people who are approaching the end of their lives.

In 2013, Professor Gott was awarded a grant for $1.2million by the Health Research Council to identify ways of optimising care at the end of life for Māori and non-Māori over the age of 85.

This study, known as Te Pākeketanga: living and dying in advanced old age, involves in-depth face-to-face interviews with bereaved Māori and non-Māori family and whānau caregivers.

It isbelieved to be the first in-depth exploration internationally of the extent to which preferences for end of life care are met for indigenous people 85 years and over.

Professor Gott also plays a key role supporting New Zealand’s next generation of health scientists by mentoring early career researchers and supervising postgraduate students.

“Research into palliative and end of life care is critical. Like the rest of the OECD, New Zealand’s population is ageing at an unprecedented rate. We urgently need to find answers to the new questions arising about how best to care for our older people as they approach death,” says Professor Gott.

ENDS

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