Evidence & AcademiaResearch Papers & Publications
Explore IPM's peer-reviewed studies, institutional reports, published books, presentations, and international collaborations.
WHO / WPCA Milestone PublicationGlobal Atlas of Palliative Care at the End of Life
World Health Organization (WHO), Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance (WPCA), Stephen R. Connor, PhD, Maria Cecilia Sepulveda Bermedo, MD · January 2014 (ISBN: 978-0-9928277-0-0)
The definitive joint WHO-WPCA global publication quantifying worldwide palliative care need (20.4M people annually), evaluating noncommunicable disease burdens, mapping 234 countries, and establishing palliative care as an international human right.
- Over 20.4 million people in need of end-of-life palliative care annually (94% adults, 6% children)
- 78% of adults & 98% of children in need live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
- Cardiovascular diseases (38.5%) and Cancer (34%) represent over 72% of adult palliative need
Clinical and Bio-demographic Profile of Hospice Patients at IPM, Matara
Samadhi Rajapaksa · 2026
A retrospective descriptive study of 265 hospice patients admitted to IPM between 2018 and 2025, examining demographics, diagnoses, and length of stay.
- 265 patient records analyzed (2018–2025)
- Mean age 59.53 ± 17.23 years; 68% female
- Cancer accounted for 72% of all diagnoses
Bio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Hospice Patients (2018–2025)
Institute of Palliative Medicine, Matara · 2018–2025
Comprehensive institutional report summarizing admission trends, disease patterns, geographical distribution, and length of stay across 265 hospice patients.
- 80% of patients were married; 90% Buddhist
- 35% stayed less than 10 days; 40% stayed 11–30 days
- Late referrals remain a critical challenge
Visit to the Institute of Palliative Medicine, Matara, Sri Lanka
Dr. Kusum Kumari
An inspiring field visit reflecting on IPM's holistic, community-rooted palliative care model under Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksha's visionary leadership.
- Holistic care beyond physical relief
- Community volunteers integrated into care
- Model of empathy, equity, and accessibility
Clinical and Bio-demographic Profile of Hospice Patients — Presentation
Samadhi Rajapaksa, Kusum Kumari
Conference presentation of the IPM retrospective study with diagnosis tables, length-of-stay data, and international comparative discussion.
- 9-slide presentation format
- Table 1: Primary diagnoses (N = 265)
- Table 2: Length of stay distribution
Glimpsing at the Journey of Palliative Care
Samadhi Wishwanath Rajapaksa · September 2023
A comprehensive history of palliative care from global and Sri Lankan perspectives — covering ancient healthcare systems, palliative nursing, legislation, NGOs, and the College of Palliative Medicine.
- 14 chapters spanning global & Sri Lankan palliative care history
- Foreword by Emeritus Prof. Indrani Munasinghe, University of Colombo
- Covers Mihintale Hospital, opium history, HBPCS & CPMSL
Published Journal ArticleClinical and Sociodemographic Profile of Hospice Patients in Southern Sri Lanka: Retrospective Data
Samadhi Rajapaksa, Kusum Kumari · 2026
Full published original article in Nursing & Midwifery Research Journal (DOI: 10.1177/0974150X261417454) analyzing 265 hospice admissions from January 2018 to December 2024.
- Published in Nursing & Midwifery Research Journal (2026)
- 8-page full article with ethics approval & ORCID
- Includes Table 1 sociodemographic data & Figure analyses
Global Equality, Complicated Systems and Assisted Death in Palliative Care
Kusum Kumari, Samadhi Rajapaksa · February 2025
Editorial published in International Journal of Palliative Nursing (Vol 31, No 2) examining assisted death debates, global palliative care equity, and end-of-life care in low- and middle-income countries.
- International Journal of Palliative Nursing (2025)
- Examines UK End of Life Bill & assisted death ethics
- Compares palliative care access in India vs developed nations
Institute of Palliative Medicine — Institutional Profile & Hospice Services
Institute of Palliative Medicine, Matara · 2026
Comprehensive institutional overview of IPM Matara — hospice capacity, palliative care philosophy, transit home services, and community support information.
- 21-bed hospice with 11 AC private rooms
- 125-seat research auditorium & training center
- Transit home for chemo & radiotherapy patients
