Developing a values-based interorganisational Care at the End-of-Life Collaborative framework for the Australian context: A mixed-methods, practice-based research protocol.

Background: As the population ages and the demand for quality care at the end of life increases, health costs are increasing, thus creating a perfect storm of need, outstripping the supply of palliative care services. Engaging communities to support care at the end of life through the establishment of values-based interorganisational Care at the End-of-Life Collaboratives is one approach to addressing this problem. Whilst there is an abundance of literature about collaboratives, understanding of those supporting care at the end of life is lacking.

Objectives: The objectives of this research are to understand the contextual factors using an evaluation framework that support the success of values-based interorganisational Care at the End-of-Life Collaboratives to achieve system improvements at a regional level and develop a framework for establishing sustainable Care at the End-of-Life Collaboratives in jurisdictions across Australia.

Design: This is a two-phase study that uses a mixed-methods case study and a Delphi methodology.

Methods and analysis: Phase I data collection is based on the RE-AIM framework, which uses the Partnership Self-Assessment Tool (PSAT) and semi-structured interviews with Collaborative members and key stakeholders. A review of collaborative documentation, including meeting minutes and reports, will also be completed. Phase II will include a minimum of two surveys of the expert group recruited from the peak palliative care bodies across Australia. Quantitative data in this study will be analysed using descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. A reflexive approach to content analysis of qualitative data will be adopted.

Ethics: This research is approved by the University of Southern Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (approval ETH2023-0718).

Discussion: Understanding the contextual factors that contribute to the sustainability of an existing Care at the End-of-Life Collaborative within Australia will enable the foundation of a framework for developing similar collaboratives, for refinement through expert consensus using Delphi methodology.