Research methodologies in palliative care: the challenges of interdisciplinarity

Aim: This article aims to set some theoretical and practical milestones to better understand the challenges of interdisciplinary research in palliative care. Method: A theoretical perspective of the main challenges of interdisciplinary research is provided through a review of existing literature, supported by practical experiences learnt from the implementation of two research projects on the improvement of the organization of healthcare.services in palliative care in France. Results: Palliative care is historically and philosophically grounded in interdisciplinary culture. Implementation of interdisciplinary research in palliative care is particularly challenging as it implies engaging in a "paradigm dialogue" with different disciplines involved. Beyond the relational skills inherent in and required for actual interdisciplinary practice, interdisciplinary research calls for metacognitive skills such as the ability to search, identify, understand, connect and integrate theoretical and methodological perspectives of different disciplines. Conclusion: Addressing the challenges of interdisciplinary research in palliative care requires an educational program that integrates an interdisciplinary approach at the early stage of the medical and healthcare curriculum. Paradigm dialogue should also he encouraged in national research and innovation programs.