The biomedical research institute of Malaga (IBIMA) creates its first associated group incorporating the Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice to cooperate in clinical research and innovation in the area of aging and palliative care.

The Malaga Biomedical Research Institute (IBIMA) and the Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice present the ascription of a new research group associated with the EE05 group led by Dr. Juan Daniel Prados, called: Pharmaco economy, clinical and economic evaluation of drugs and palliative care and belonging to IBIMA area 5. This affiliation was approved by the Delegate Commission of IBIMA last July 24th.

This morning, at the CUDECA centre, the initiative was presented by both entities, which show their common interest in cooperation to shorten the distance between research and clinical care received by patients with cancer or other advanced illnesses, as well as their families and caregivers.

The main objective of this new associated group is to transfer the knowledge generated in clinical research to the field of healthcare practice, to the patient's socio-familiar environment and to society in general. It also seeks to translate the problems of clinical care and the needs felt by patients -physical, psychological or social-, by their families and by CUDECA caregivers and volunteers into clinical research questions.

In this sense, the scientific director of IBIMA, Dr. Francisco J. Tinahones, said that "the incorporation of CUDECA to IBIMA is an important reinforcement in one of the lines of projects with which we feel most involved such as aging and palliative care.”

For his part, J. Daniel Prados pointed out the importance of incorporating CUDECA researchers for his EE-05 group, which focuses on clinical research in Primary Care: "It will make possible to develop research projects in the field of palliative care, which will complement the lines developed by the EE-05 group so far (multimorbidity, polymedication and adherence to treatment in chronic illnesses) and will provide answers to the clinical questions of people involved in the care of this group of patients (doctors, nurses and volunteers)".

The Chief Executive and medical Director of CUDECA, Marisa Martín, commented that "this agreement between IBIMA and CUDECA aims to improve the quality of care for patients with advanced or terminal illnesses and their families, through

research and innovation, offering the possibility of accessing new horizons for caring at the end of life, through epidemiological studies, clinical trials and qualitative studies. All of this is aimed at making it possible to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of patients".

In addition, the aim is to boost the scientific activity of CUDECA and the IBIMA group EE05 by generating knowledge derived from collaboration between clinical research programmes and patient care, as well as broadening the interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to patients with cancer and other advanced diseases and their families in IBIMA, thanks to the participation of CUDECA professionals in different health disciplines in the different collaboration projects proposed.

Regarding the creation of this new figure of associated group, Tinahones said that it will be an initiative with continuity before possible new incorporations to IBIMA, since "the institute wants to open up to all agents outside the health institutions and the University of Malaga.” In this sense, he reinforced the position of IBIMA to its commitment to society being "the opportunity to incorporate new structures and institutions that work and contribute to the increase in biomedical research in Malaga.”

On the other hand, both entities are committed to promoting competitive research projects, public or private, national or with the European Union with the possibility of managing large series of patients, as well as having infrastructure and clinical knowledge, giving the groups and researchers involved a greater competitive capacity to obtain resources to fund research in palliative care.

The lines of collaboration between the two entities will focus on carrying out actions in relation to public administrations at local, regional, national and international levels. In addition, flexibility will be enhanced to facilitate the temporary stay of researchers in the facilities of IBIMA and CUDECA to carry out research and development of training activities, as well as the organisation and execution of common activities related to the social promotion of research.

On the other hand, in order to ensure compliance with the objectives and lines of action, a Monitoring and Management Committee has been set up to guarantee the appropriate coordination of the actions of both parties.