Publications

Cook, D., Rocker, G., Heyland, D. (2013) Enhancing the quality of end-of-life care in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal,  published ahead of print September 23, 2013. doi:10.1503/cmaj.130716

Lawson, B., Van Aarsen, K., Burge, F. (2013) Challenges and strategies in the administration of a population based mortality follow-back survey design. BMC Palliative Care, 12(1): 28.    *Free PMC article

Fisher, J., Urquhart, R., Johnston, G. (2013) Use of opioid analgesics among older persons with colorectal cancer in two health districts with palliative care programs. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 46(1): 20-9.    *Free PMC article

Jensen, J.L., Travers, A.H., Bardua, D.J., Dobson, T., Cox, B., McVey, J., Cain, E., Merchant, R., & Carter A.J.E. (2013) Transport outcomes and dispatch determinants in a paramedic long-term care program: a pilot study. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 15(4): 206-13.

Johnston, G., Vukic, A., Parker, S. (2013) Cultural understanding in the provision of supportive and palliative care: perspectives in relation to an indigenous population. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 3(1): 61-8.    *Free PMC article

Lethbridge, L., Johnston, G., Turnbull, G. (2013) Co-morbidities of persons dying of Parkinson's disease. Progress in Palliative Care, 21(3): 140-5(6).
*Free PMC article

Maddalena, V., Bernard, W.T., Davis-Murdoch, S., Smith, D. (2013) Awareness of palliative care and end-of-life options among African Canadians in Nova Scotia. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 24(2): 144-52. doi:10.1177/1043659612472190

Bernard, W., Maddalena, V., Smith, D. (2013) Spirituality at end of life in Nova Scotia’s Black Community. Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, in press.

Rocker, G.M., Cook, D. (2013). 'INSPIRED' Approaches to better care for patients with advanced COPD. Clinical & Investigative Medicine, 36(3): e114-20.

Burge, F., Lawson, B., Mitchell, G. (2012) How to move to a palliative approach to care for people with multimorbidity. BMJ, 345: e6324. doi:10.1136/bmj.e6324

Carter A.J.E., Earle, R., Gregoire, M-C., MacConnell, G., & Frager, G. (2012) Breaking down silos: Building better palliative care.  Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 14(3): abstract.

Clark, R., Fisher, J., Sketris, I.S., Johnston, G. (2012) Population prevalence of high dose paracetamol in dispensed paracetamol /opioid combinations: An observational study. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, 12(1): 11.    *Free PMC article

Corkum, M., Urquhart, R., Kendell, C., Burge, F., Porter, G., Johnston, G. (2012) Impact of comorbidity and healthcare utilization on colorectal cancer stage at diagnosis: Literature review. Cancer Causes and Control, 23(2): 213-20.    *Free PMC article

Maddalena, V., O’Shea, F., Murphy, M. (2012) Palliative and end-of-life care in Newfoundland’s deaf community, Journal of Palliative Care, 28(2): 105-12.

Maddison, A.R., Asada, Y., Burge, F., Johnston, G., Urquhart, R. (2012) Inequalities in end-of-life care for colorectal cancer patients in Nova Scotia, Canada. Journal of Palliative Care, 28(2): 90-6.    *Free PMC article

Maddison, A.R., Asada, Y., Urquhart, R., Johnston, G., Burge, F., Porter, G. (2012) Inequity in access to guideline-recommended colorectal cancer treatment in Nova Scotia, Canada. Healthcare Policy, 8(2): 71-87. doi:10.1007/s10552-010-9722-3

Rocker, G. (2012) Storms before the calm.CMAJ, 184(12): 1397. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120196

Rocker, G., Young, J., Donahue, M., Farquhar, M., & Simson, C. (2012)
Perspectives of patients, family caregivers and physicians about the use of opioids for refractory dyspnea in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CMAJ, 184(9): e497-504.    *Free PMC article

Sloss, L., Lawson, B., Burge, F.I. (2012) Spiritual and emotional support of primary informal end-of-life caregivers in Nova Scotia. Journal of Palliative Care, 28(3): 169-74.

Young, J., Donahue, M., Farquhar, M., Simpson, C., & Rocker, G. (2012)Using opioids to treat dyspnea in advanced COPD: attitudes and experiences of family physicians and respiratory therapists.Canadian Family Physician, 58: e401-7.
*Free PMC article

Fisher, J., Zhang, Y., Sketris, I., Johnston, G., Burge, F. (2011) The effect of an educational intervention on meperidine use in Nova Scotia, Canada: A time-series analysis. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 21(2): 177-83.    *Free PMC article

Gao, J., Johnston, G.M., Lavergne, M.R., McIntyre, P. (2011) Identifying population groups with low palliative care program enrollment using classification and regression tree analysis. Journal of Palliative Care, 27(2): 98-106.
*Free PMC article

Lavergne, M.R., Johnston, G.M., Gao, J., Dummer, T.J.B., Rheaume, D.E. (2011) Variation in the use of palliative radiotherapy at end of life: Examining demographic, clinical, health service, and geographic factors in a population-based study. Palliative Medicine, 25(2): 101-10.    *Free PMC article

Lavergne, R., Johnston, G.M., Gao, J., Dumont, S., Burge, F. (2011) Exploring generalizability in a study of costs for community-based palliative care. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 41(4): 779-87.    *Free PMC article

Maddison, A., Fisher, J., & Johnston, G. (2011) Preventive medication use among persons with limited life expectancy. Progress in Palliative Care, 19(1): 15-21.
*Free PMC article

Asada, Y. (2010) Vulnerability in palliative care: an application and extension of the risk chain model. Progress in Palliative Care, 18(2): 72-8. doi:10.1179/096992610X12624290276665

Goodridge, D., Lawson, J., Rocker, G., Marciniuk, D., & Rennie, D. (2010) Factors associated with opiod dispensation for patients with COPD and lung cancer in the last year of life: A retrospective analysis. International Journal of COPD, 5: 99-105.
*Free PMC article.

Heyland, D., Cook., Rocker, G., et al. (2010) Defining priorities for improving end-of-life care in Canada. CMAJ, 182(16): 747-52.    *Free PMC article.

Lawson, B.J., Burge, F.I. (2010). Re-examining the definition of location of death in health services research. Journal of Palliative Care, 26(3): 202-4.

Maddalena, V. (2010) An exploration of policy options to assist district health authorities in attending to the health needs of African Canadians: A case study. Leadership in Health Services, 23(1): 57-74.

Maddalena, V., Bernard, W.T., Etowa, J.B., Davis-Murdoch, S., Smith, D., & Marsh-Jarvis, P (2010) Cancer Care Experiences and the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine at End of Life in Nova Scotia’s Black Communities. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 21(2): 114-22. doi:10.1177/1043659609357634

Rocker, G. (2010) An uncertain death. CMAJ, 182(16): 1816.    *Free PMC article.

Simpson, A.C., Young, J., Donahue, M., & Rocker, G. (2010) A day at a time… Caregiving on the edge in advanced COPD. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 5: 141-51.    *Free PMC article.

Urquhart, R.L., Johnston, G., McVorran, S., & Burge, F. (2010) Perspectives of an Interdisciplinary Research Team to Engage Practice: Lessons from a Knowledge

Dumont, S., Jacobs, P., Fassbender, K. et al. (2009) Costs associated with resource utilization during the palliative phase of care: A Canadian perspective. Palliative Medicine. 23(8): 708–17. G Johnston acknowledged. doi:10.1177/0269216309346546

Goodridge, D.M., Marciniuk, D.D., Brooks, D., van Dam, A., Hutchinson, S., Bailey, P., Baxter, S., Dorasamy, P., Dumont, S., Hassan, S., Hernandex, P., Kerigan, A., Rocker, G., Wilson, D., & Young, J. (2009) End-of-Life care for persons with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Report of a national interdisciplinary consensus meeting. Can Respair Journal, 16(5): e51-2.    *Free PMC article.

Heyland, D.K., Allan, D., Rocker, G.M., Dodek, P.E., Pichora, D., & Gafni, A. (2009) Discussing prognosis with patients and families near the end of life: Impact on satisfaction with end of life care. Open Medicine, 3(2): 101-10.

Lanoix, M. (2009) Palliative care and Parkinson's disease: managing the chronic-palliative interface. Chronic Illness, 5: 46-55. doi:10.1177/1742395309102819

Lawson, B., Burge, F., McIntyre, P., Field, S., & Maxwell, D. (2009) Can the introduction of an integrated service model to an existing comprehensive palliative care service impact emergency department visits among enrolled patients? Journal of Palliative Medicine,12(3): 245-52. doi:10.1089/jpm.2008.0217

Rocker, G., Horton, R., Currow, D., Goodridge, D., Young, J., & Booth, S. (2009) Palliation of dyspnoea in advanced COPD: revisiting a role for Opiods. Thorax, 64: 635-40. doi:10.1136/thx.2009.116699

Rocker, G., Young, J., & Simpson, A.C. (2009) Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: more than a lung disease. Progress in Palliative Care, 17(3): 117-25.

Schroder, C., Heyland, D., Xuran, J., Rocker, G., & Dodek, P (2009) Educating Medical Residents in End-of-Life Care: Insights from a multicentre survey. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 12(5): 459-70. doi:10.1089/jpm.2008.0280

Strachan, P.H., Ross, H., Rocker, G.M., Dodek, P.M., & Heyland, D.K. (2009) Mind the gap: Opportunities for improving end-of-life care for patients with advanced heart failure. Can J Cardiol, 25(11): 635-40.    *Free PMC article.

Young, J., Rocker, G.M. (2009) Facilitating palliative care in advanced COPD: a unique leadership opportunity

Burge, F., & Lawson, B. (2008) Which cancer patients receive provincial home care services in Nova Scotia during the end of life? Journal of Palliative Care, 24(3): 224.    *Free PMC article.

Burge, F., Lawson, B., & Johnston, G., Grunfeld, E. (2008) A population based study of age inequalities in access to palliative care among cancer patients. Medical Care, 46(12): 1203-11.    *Free PMC article.

Dumont, S., Jacobs, P., Fassbender, K., Anderson, D., Turcotte, V., & Harel, F. (2009) Costs associated with resource utilization during the palliative phase of care: a Canadian perspective. Palliative Medicine, 23(8): 708-17. doi:10.1177/0269216309346546

Grunfeld, E., Urquhart, R., Mykhalovskiy, E., Folkes, A., Johnston, G., Burge, F., Earle, C., & Dent, S. (2008) Toward population-based indicators of quality end-of-life care: testing stakeholder agreement. Cancer, 112(10): 2301-8.
*Free PMC article.

Johnston, G. (2008) Palliative and end of life care for persons with advanced colorectal cancer: Basics upon which to build. Journal of Palliative Care, 24(3): 221.

Johnston, G., Burge, F., Kuziemsky, C., McIntyre, P., Kapra, J., & Gao, J. (2008) Minimum data set for palliative and end of life research in Nova Scotia, Canada. Palliative Medicine, 22(4): 554.

Johnston, G., Gao, J., Lavergne, R., Rheaume, D., Dummer, T., & MacIntyre, M. (2008) Palliative radiotherapy: Associations with age and nursing home residency for adults dying of cancer in Nova Scotia, 2000-2004. Journal of Palliative Care, 24(3): 210.

Johnston, G., Lawson, B., Gao, J., Burge, F., McIntyre, P., & Grunfeld, E. (2008) Predictors of palliative care program enrollment in Nova Scotia, Canada using new analytic methods for improved application and understanding. Palliative Medicine, 22(4): 418.

Johnston, G., & NELS ICE Team. (2008) End of life care in Nova Scotia 2007 surveillance report. Journal of Palliative Care, 24(3): 218.

Kindig, D. A., Asada, Y., & Booske, B. (2008) A population health framework for setting national and state health goals. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 299(17): 2081-3. doi:10.1001/jama.299.17.2081

Lawson, B., Burge, F., Johnston, G., & Grunfeld, E. (2008) Advocating for the disadvantaged at the end of life. Who should primary care be concerned about? Family Medicine, 40: Supplement 1.

Lawson, B., Burge, F., McIntyre, P., Field, S., & Maxwell, D. (2008) Palliative care patients in the emergency department. Journal of Palliative Care, 24(4): 247-55.

O’ Donnell, D., Hernandez, P., Kaplan, A., Rocker, G., & et al. (2008) Thoracic Society recommendations for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – 2008 update- highlights for primary care. Canadian Respiratory Journal, Suppl A:1A-8A.    *Free PMC article.

Rocker, G., Dodek, P. M., & Heyland, D. K. (2008). Toward optimal end-of-life care for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Insights from a multicentre study. Canadian Respirology Journal, 15(5): 249-54.    *Free PMC article.

Simpson, A. C., & Rocker, G. (2008) Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Impact on informal caregivers. Journal of Palliative Care, 24(1): 49-54.

Simpson, A. C., & Rocker, G. M. (2008) Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: rethinking models of care. Quarterly Journal of Medicine, 101(9): 697-704. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcn087

Sinuff, T., Cook, D., Keenan, S., Burns, K., Adhikari, N., Rocker, G., et al. (2008) Noninvasive ventilation for Acute Respiratory failure near the end of life. Critical Care Medicine, 36: 789-94.

Asada, Y., & Kephart, G. (2007) Equity in health services and intensity of use in Canada. BMC Health Services Research, 7(41): 87-101.    *Free PMC article.

Cook, D., & Rocker, G. (2007) A communication strategy and brochure reduced the burden of bereavement on relatives of patients dying in the intensive care unit. ACP Journal Club, 146(3): 69.

Hausman, D. (2007) What's wrong with health inequalities? Journal of Political Philosophy, 15: 46-66. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9760.2007.00270.x

Maddalena, V. (2007) A practical approach to ethical decision-making. Leadership in Health Services, 20(2): 71-5. doi:10.1108/17511870710745402

O'Brien, M. B., Johnston, G., Gao, J., & Dewar, R. (2007) End-of-life care for nursing home residents dying from cancer in Nova Scotia, Canada, 2000-2003. Supportive Care in Cancer, 15(9): 1015-21.    *Free PMC article

Rocker, G. (2007) Defining moments: End of life care in the back of a truck. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 176: 1614-5. doi:10.1503/cmaj.070511

O’ Donnell, D., Aaron, S., Bourbeau, J., Hernandez, P., Marciniuk, D. D., Rocker, G., et al. (2007) Canadian Thoracic Society recommendations for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – 2007 update. Canadian Respiratory Journal, Suppl B:5B-32B.    *Free PMC article.

Rocker, G., Sinuff, T., Horton, R., & Hernandez, P. (2007) Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Innovative approaches to palliation. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 10: 783-97. doi:10.1089/jpm.2007.9951

Asada, Y. (2006) Is Health Inequality Across Individuals of Moral Concern? Health Care Analysis, 14(1): 25-36.    *Free PMC article.

Grunfeld, E., Johnston, G., Mykhalovskiy, E., Cicchelli, L., McIntyre, P., Burge, F., et al. (2006) Quality indicators for end-of-life breast cancer care: is there agreement between stakeholder groups? Journal of Palliative Care, 22(3): 200.

Grunfeld, E., Lethbridge, L., Dewar, R., Johnston, G., Lawson, B., Burge, F., et al. (2006) Quality indicators for end-of-life breast cancer care: testing the use of administrative databases. Journal of Palliative Care, 22(3): 243.

Grunfeld, E., Lethbridge, L., Dewar, R., Lawson, B., Paszat, L. F., Johnston, G., et al. (2006) Towards using administrative databases to measure population-based indicators of quality of end-of-life care: testing the methodology. Palliative Medicine, 20(8): 769-77.    *Free PMC article

Johnston, G., Gao, J., Dewar, R., McIntyre, P., Orychock, D., Maddalena, V., et al. (2006) Palliative care service provision to adults dying of cancer in Halifax and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Journal of Palliative Care, 22(3): 244.

Johnston, G., Grunfeld, E., McIntyre, P., Maddalena, V., Rocker, G., Asada, Y., et al. (2006) Nova Scotia Network of End of Life Studies: Frameworks and methods for global interdisciplinary capacity enhancement on population access to quality palliative and end-of-life care. Journal of Palliative Care, 22(3): 244.

Kazanjian, A., Barroetavena, M. C., Fyles, G., Leis, A., & Johnston, G. (2006) Understanding culture, measuring equity in palliative and end-of-life care. Journal of Palliative Care, 22(3): 204.

Lawson, B., Burge, F.I., Critchley, P., & McIntyre, P. (2006) Factors associated with multiple transitions in care during the end of life following enrollment in a comprehensive palliative care program. BMC Palliative Care, 5(4).    *Free PMC article.

Maddalena, V. (2006) Cultural competence and end of life care. Journal of Palliative Care, 22(3): 225.

Maddalena, V., Bernard, W. T., Etowa, J. B., Davis-Murdoch, S., Smith, D., & Marsh-Jarvis, P. (2006) Cancer care and use of complementary and alternative medicine and home remedies in Nova Scotia's Black Community. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 21(2): 114-22. doi:10.1177/1043659609357634

Burge, F., Johnston, G., Lawson, B., Dewar, R., Cummings, I. (2002) Population Based Trends in Referral of the Elderly to a Comprehensive Palliative Care Program. Palliative Medicine, 16: 255-6. doi:10.1191/0269216302pm550xx

Burge, F., Lawson, B., Johnston, G. (2005) Home visits by family physician during the end-of-life: Does income or residency play a role? BioMedCentral – Palliative Care, 4: 1-9.    *Free PMC article.

Burge, F., Lawson, B., Johnston, G. (2005) Where a cancer patient dies: The effect of rural residency. Journal of Rural Health, 21(3): 233-8.    *Free PMC article.

Burge, F., Lawson, B., Johnston, G. (2003) Primary Care Continuity and Location of Death for those with Cancer.  Journal of Palliative Medicine, 6(6): 911-8. doi:10.1089/109662103322654794

Burge, F., Lawson, B., Johnston, G. (2003) Family Physician Continuity of Care and Emergency Department Use in End-of-Life Cancer Care. Medical Care, 41(8): 992-1001.

Burge, F., Lawson, B., Johnston, G. (2003) Trends in the Place of Death of Cancer Patients. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 168(3): 265-70.   
*Free PMC article.

Burge, F., Lawson, B., Johnston, G., Flowerdew, G., Cummings, I. (2005) Health care restructuring and family physician care for those who died of cancer. BioMedCentral – Family Practice, 6: 1-6.    *Free PMC article.

Johnston, G.M., Boyd, C.J., Joseph, P., MacIntyre, M. (2001) Variation in Delivery of Palliative Radiotherapy to Persons Dying of Cancer In Nova Scotia, 1994 to 1998. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 19(14): 3323-32.

Johnston, G., Burge, F. (2002) Analytic Framework for Clinician Provision of End-of-Life Care. Journal of Palliative Care, 18(3): 141-9.

Johnston, G.M., Burge, F.I., Boyd, C.J., MacIntyre, M.M. (2001) End-of-Life Population Study Methods. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 92(5): 385-6.

Johnston, G., Gibbons, L., Burge, F., Dewar, R., Cummings, I., Levy, I. (1998) Identifying potential need for cancer palliation in Nova Scotia. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 158(13): 1691-8.    *Free PMC article.

Johnston, G.M., MacGarvie, V.L., Elliott, D., Dewar, R.A.D., MacIntyre, M.M., Nolan, M.C. (2004) Radiotherapy wait times for patients with a diagnosis of invasive cancer, 1992-2000. Clinical and Investigative Medicine, 27(3): 142-156.