By InvitationNot Applicable

Latin America Network for Primary Palliative Care

Argentina50 participantsStarted 2026-03-27

Plain-language summary

Palliative care is the holistic care provided to individuals and their families who experience health related suffering related to life-limiting conditions. Palliative care is practiced by speciality level clinicians and also non-specialists. The term Primary Palliative Care (PPC) refers to the palliative care provided in primary care by primary care staff. In Latin America (LA), palliative care services have shown strong growth over the past two decades, but remain established and integrated in only a few localised areas across the region. Building on the success of the UoE's Global Access to Palliative Care Latin America (GAP - LA) Project led by the Usher Institute and funded by the UK Medical Research Council (grant number MR/V021400/1), primary care has been identified as a natural area for capacity building and strengthening to reduce health related suffering from serious illness and improve end of life care in Latin America. The researchers will collaborate with Pallium Latin America (PLA), a LA association involved in advocacy, education and clinical care in the region. The objectives of this study are: 1. To explore the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of a Latin American contextualised primary palliative care from the perspective of family medicine doctors 2. To list and describe the models in which palliative care is delivered within primary care 3. To define the process and outcome measures which would be meaningful for measurement of primary palliative care A Participatory Action Research (PAR) framework will be employed, combining both qualitative and quantitative components over 24 months. 30 to 50 primary care health professionals across LA will be recruited from the network already established by PLA to become co-researchers in line with the PAR methodology. 1. Online case-based discussion meetings (around 12 every 6 to 8 weeks) and post-meeting survey 2. Online individual semi-structured interviews (20-30) 3. Online co-researcher focus group discussions (3-5) 4. Co-researcher surveys 5. Documentary analysis Online meetings, interviews and focus group discussions will be recorded, translated and transcribed. Transcripts and surveys will be the data for analysis using NVivo, RedCap and MS Excell software.

Who can participate

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: \- Health care co-researchers Eligibility criteria of health care co-researchers: * Spanish or English speaking * Based and practicing in a Latin America country * Health care professional (doctor, nurse, or allied health care professional) * Working in primary or palliative care * Willing to give their written informed consent to participate in the research It is expected that the majority of co-researchers will be primary care doctors. 30-50 co-researchers will be recruited. Patient representative co-researchers In addition, one to three patient representatives will be recruited from the established informal network. This will be individuals who * Spanish or English speaking both * Is based in a LA country * Has personal experience of caring for a relative with health-related suffering from a serious condition. * Is willing to give their written informed consent to participate in the research. Exclusion Criteria: * Does not speak Spanish or English * Is not involved in primary care or palliative care * Is not based in a LA country * Is unwilling to give their written informed consent to participate in the research.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

To explore the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of a Latin American contextualised primary palliative care from the perspective of family medicine doctors

Timeframe: 24 months

To list and describe the models in which palliative care is delivered within primary care

Timeframe: 24 months

To define the process and outcome measures which would be meaningful for measurement of primary palliative care

Timeframe: 24 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07436026

SponsorUniversity of Edinburgh

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2028-03-13

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Palliative Care trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

To explore the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of a Latin American contextualised primary palliative care from the perspective of family medicine doctors

Timeframe: 24 months

To list and describe the models in which palliative care is delivered within primary care

Timeframe: 24 months

To define the process and outcome measures which would be meaningful for measurement of primary palliative care

Timeframe: 24 months