Hua Lab

Our research applies mixed-method approaches to improve palliative and end-of-life care. We utilize population-level analyses of outcomes combined with qualitative techniques to create a holistic view of practice patterns in palliative and critical care. This approach allows us to inform best practices for palliative and end-of-life care delivery, with an overarching goal of improving outcomes for patients with serious illness.

The intersection between palliative care and critical care is a prime focus of our research lab. As more critically ill patients choose quality of life as opposed to quantity of life, there is a growing awareness that high-intensity care, particularly at the end of life, may not be consistent with patients’ goals and values. Thus, we aim to better quantify how palliative care impacts the intensity of treatment in critically ill patients.

Additionally, we are researching how heterogeneity in how specialist palliative care is implemented across different hospitals may result in differences in the quality and impact of palliative care across institutions. Our NIH-funded R37 grant allows us to better understand what ideal operating conditions are needed by palliative care teams to ensure high-quality care nationwide. With this, our goal is to learn how variability in palliative care programs affects patient outcomes for patients with metastatic cancer, as well as further understand how palliative care delivery may impact all patients with serious illnesses.