Explore IPM's peer-reviewed studies, institutional reports, published books, presentations, and international collaborations.
BMC Nursing (2026) · Systematic Review
The Nurse’s Role During Death and Bereavement: A Systematic Review
Dr. Kusum Kumari, Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksa, Ms. Sonia · Published Online: 13 July 2026 · BMC Nursing (2026) 25:935
A systematic review published in BMC Nursing (PROSPERO CRD420251133026) synthesizing 22 international studies on the pivotal role of nurses during death and bereavement—examining bedside comfort, emotional demands, communication hurdles, and the imperative for institutional support.
Published in BMC Nursing (2026) 25:935, DOI: 10.1186/s12912-026-05048-2, registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251133026)
Co-authored by Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksa (Head of Dept, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Matara, Sri Lanka) with AIIMS Deoghar and AIIMS Raeberali
Synthesized 22 peer-reviewed studies (13 qualitative, 7 quantitative, 2 mixed-methods) across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science (2000–2025)
Original Research Study
Hospice Admission Patterns and Length of Stay: Insights from Southern Sri Lanka
Rajapaksa S.W, Lagoshan L · 2018–2025 Clinical Dataset (Published 2025–2026)
A retrospective descriptive study analyzing 265 consecutive patient admissions to the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Matara between 2018 and 2025, detailing bio-demographic profiles, primary diagnoses (72% cancer), referral origins (70% outside Matara), and length of stay patterns (74% ≤ 30 days).
Retrospective cohort study of N=265 hospice admissions to IPM Matara (2018–2025)
Mean patient age was 59.53 ± 17.23 years, with females comprising 68% (n=180) of admissions
70% (n=184) of patients were referred from outside the Matara district, demonstrating nationwide reliance on IPM
Health Equity & Access Study
Geographic Inequities in Access to Hospice Care in Sri Lanka
Rajapaksa S.W, Lagoshan L · 2018–2025 Geographic Analysis (Published 2025–2026)
A comprehensive health access and regional equity study investigating 265 inpatient admissions to IPM Matara (2018–2025), showing that 70% of patients travel from outside the local district, revealing severe centralized dependence and highlighting the urgent mandate for decentralized hospice care in Sri Lanka.
70% (n=184) of all hospice patients originated from outside the Matara district, while only 30% (n=81) were local residents
Demonstrates high centralized dependency on a single regional hospice center in Southern Sri Lanka
Demographic analysis shows mean age of 59.53 ± 17.23 years, 68% females, 80% married, and 90% Buddhist
20th EAPC World Congress 2026
Knowledge and Self-Efficacy of Nursing Students in Responding to Patients' Needs in Palliative Care
Rajapaksa S.W · 14–16 May 2026 (20th World Congress EAPC)
Presented at the 20th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC 2026). A cross-sectional quantitative study of 262 Sri Lankan nursing students evaluating palliative knowledge (PCQN) and self-efficacy (SEPC), discovering a significant association between witnessing death and knowledge (p=0.023).
Presented at the 20th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC 2026), 14–16 May 2026
Cross-sectional quantitative study of 262 undergraduate nursing students across Sri Lankan nursing institutions (Mean age 23.77 ± 3.57, 82.8% female)
Assessed with validated tools: Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN) and Self-Efficacy in Palliative Care Scale (SEPC)
7th Commonwealth CNMF Conference 2026
Determinants of Palliative Care Preparedness Among Nursing Students in Sri Lanka: Knowledge and Clinical Exposure
Prof. Samadhi Wishwanath Rajapaksa · 24–25 September 2026 (7th Commonwealth CNMF Conference)
Presented at the 7th Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference in New Delhi, India. Investigates the determinants of palliative preparedness among 262 undergraduate nursing students in Sri Lanka, establishing that clinical exposure to terminally ill patients (76.7%) and patient death (75.6%) is significantly more influential than classroom knowledge alone.
Peer-reviewed research abstract for the 7th Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference ('Shaping the Future: Nurses and Midwives Navigating New Frontiers'), 24–25 September 2026, New Delhi, India
Conducted among 262 undergraduate nursing students using stratified random sampling and validated PCQN and SEPC instruments
High clinical exposure rates: 76.7% reported caring for terminally ill patients and 75.6% reported witnessing patient death
WHO / WPCA Milestone Publication
Global 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
Peer-Reviewed Study
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
Institutional Report
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
International Visit
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
Conference Presentation
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
Published Book
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
Clinical 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
Journal Editorial
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 (February 2025, Vol 31, No 2)
Analysis of the UK Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill & assisted death ethics
Examines the link between inadequate symptom relief and desire for assisted dying
Institutional Profile
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.
