Details of any grant/funding connected with the research

• Integrating Palliative Care and Heart Failure: a Realist Synthesis (PalliatHeartSynthesis) NIHR Funding and Awards Search Website 
• Building capacity for high-quality research on the role of music therapy in supporting informal carers of people at end of life - Funded by The Music Therapy Charity The Music Therapy Charity - News 
• Loneliness among people with a terminal illness and their carers in Northern Ireland - Funded by Marie Curie Policy-themed Small Research Grants Scheme  
• Exploring 24/7 lone working practices, support, and educational needs of Marie Curie Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) providing palliative care in the community across the United Kingdom – Funded by Marie Curie internal small grant scheme 

Summary of the research 

Dr McConnell's research interests broadly focus on improving palliative and end-of-life care outcomes for patients and their families/caregivers irrespective of diagnosis.  

She currently holds a joint post between Marie Curie Hospice Belfast and the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast. She has developed a joint strategic research plan focused on building the evidence base for translating high quality palliative care provided to cancer patients to those with non-cancer diagnoses. 

What is your ideal Research outcome?

Dr McConnell’s ideal Research Outcome is a tangible impact on practice that leads to improved palliative and end-of-life care outcomes for patients and their families/caregivers irrespective of diagnosis 

Principal Investigators

• NIHR Award: Integrating Palliative Care and Heart Failure: a Realist Synthesis (PalliatHeartSynthesis) – Dr McConnell joint lead with Prof Joanne Reid (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast) 
• Building capacity for high-quality research on the role of music therapy in supporting informal carers of people at end of life – Dr McConnell joint lead with Lisa Graham-Wisener (School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfas) 
• Loneliness among people with a terminal illness and their carers in Northern Ireland – Dr McConnell (PI at Marie Curie Hospice Belfast) 
• Exploring 24/7 lone working practices, support, and educational needs of Marie Curie Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) providing palliative care in the community across the UK - Kasia Patynowska, Marie Curie Practice Development Facilitator (Principle Investigator)  

Why did you choose your current post and why at Queen’s? 

I completed my PhD in Palliative Care at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s, 2014. My current post as a Marie Curie Senior Research Fellow is a joint post with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s.   

Chronic Illness and Palliative Care is one the key research themes within the School which aligns with the strategic research aims and objectives within Marie Curie Belfast.  

How have you been supported at Queen’s?

Queen’s has supported me as an ECRF through opportunities to lead on the PhD Support Programme, Teaching, Seminars, Outreach in the form of engaging with our HSCT and Community Partners.  

In what ways have you developed at Queen’s?

I have progressed to a Senior Research Fellow position which has been invaluable for building my confidence as an ECRF and providing opportunities to develop an independent research profile 

Can you describe the postdoctoral community in the School and at Queen’s? 

The School of Nursing and Midwifery has a supportive postdoctoral community who are always happy to share tips for success, or simply be a listening ear for their fellow postdocs.  

Where do you hope your current post will lead?

I am keen to develop an independent research career focusing on building my expertise in realist evaluation and synthesis of complex healthcare interventions to improve palliative and end-of-life care outcomes for patients and their families/caregivers irrespective of diagnosis 

Anything else you would like to add or advice to new Postdocs?  

Get involved in the university’s postdoc community for support, and always be on the lookout for opportunities to build your networks and address any gaps in your CV  

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