Home » Support for Researchers » Special Interest Groups » Psychological, Social and Spiritual Care Group

Psychological, Social and Spiritual Care Research

Special Interest Group

The Psychological, Social and Spiritual Care Research Special Interest Group was established in February 2024 by AIIHPC for AIIHPC Palliative Care Research Network, Early Career Researcher Forum, and Voices4Care (people with life-limiting conditions, carers, family members, and those with an interest in palliative care). Members include people with backgrounds and experience in academia, nursing, medicine, art therapy, psychology, psychotherapy, family therapy, music therapy, chaplaincy, people with palliative care needs, carers, and interested citizens. 

The group meets online on a quarterly basis to discuss research priorities, opportunities and ongoing projects.  The group is chaired by Dr Barry Quinn, Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University Belfast, and co-chaired by Dr Niall Galligan, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Head of Psychology, Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services.

Group Chair:

Dr Barry Quinn, Queens University Belfast

Group Vice Chair:

Dr Niall Galligan, Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services

The group’s current focus areas include:

  • Publications on an All Ireland survey of health and social care professionals on psychological and spiritual care.
  • Exploring service users and carers experiences of psychological and spiritual care. 
  • Research and training events on Psychological Care, and Spiritual Care. 


How can I get involved?

  • If you are a member of AIIHPC Palliative Care Research Network (PCRN), Early Career Researcher Forum (ECRF) or Voices4Care, or interested in joining the group, please sign up using the link here.
  • For more information, please see the Special Interest Group Poster presented at the AIIHPC Symposium here.

Group Activities, Engagement and Outputs

Upcoming Group Quarterly Meeting

Date: 24 June 2026

Time: 11.00 AM -12.00 PM

Including a guest presentation on ‘Readiness to Support LGBTQI+ Older Adults in Hospice Care: Insights from Staff, Patients, and Caregivers’ by Tadhg Gleeson, ECRF member from University College Dublin.

Upcoming Group Webinar  

Date: 8 July 2026

Time: 3 PM-4 PM

Registration: here

Location: Online

Webinar Title

The webinar ‘Navigating Uncertainty in Palliative Care Practice’ will give an up-to-date overview of the literature on uncertainty, as well as evidence-based, patient-centred strategies to help clinicians understand and navigate uncertainty more effectively in clinical practice. If you are an individual working in palliative and end-of-life care settings, we invite you to join the webinar.

Poster Presentations

Group’s Poster Presentation at the 14th Annual PCRN Symposium

Psychological and Spiritual Care on island of Ireland Survey Results presentation and slides at the 13th Annual PCRN Symposium

Research Publications

Exploring spirituality in palliative care services: an All-Ireland survey