PACOP Research & Data Access

PACOP supports aged care homes to embed the PACOP framework and processes, and to use the information gathered from assessments for ongoing quality improvement.

PACOP data

PACOP manages two longitudinal datasets for quality improvement and research purposes. 

Quality improvement data is returned biannually to participating aged care homes and services through the PACOP reporting suite.

In time, comprehensive national PACOP reports will also be made publicly available.

The PACOP research database offers an opportunity for the reuse of consistently collected data, enabling researchers, innovators, collaborators, and industry professionals to contribute to bodies of research, thereby enhancing equity and outcomes for Australians receiving health and aged care services.

Data access information

You can request access to data in the PACOP research database by completing and submitting a PACOP Data Access Application form. This form outlines the details required when requesting access to PACOP data and outlines the governance and review processes undertaken before the release and transfer of PACOP data.

The PACOP Data Team are available to discuss data access enquiries and provide guidance on the submission of Data Access Applications. You can download the PACOP Data Dictionary to support completion of the data items and variables requested in your Data Access Applications. PACOP recommends that you contact the PACOP Data Team via the details below to discuss your project details and data needs before completing and submitting the Data Access application to PACOP.

Contact the PACOP Data team to discuss your data access enquiry via pacop-data@uow.edu.au

Download the pacop data access application

Download the pacop data dictionary

Current Research Projects

Higher Degree Research Projects

Professor Claire Johnson, PACOP Director, provides academic supervision on the following PhD projects that relate to PACOP activities.

PACOP-Home Care Project: Improving palliative aged care in the home-based setting

The PACOP-Home Care Project is a national research initiative aimed at adapting the current PACOP framework, used in residential aged care settings, for implementation and evaluation in home-based aged care settings. With the successful implementation of the PACOP framework in residential aged care services across Australia, and changes to the Support at Home model to meet the changing preferences of individuals for receiving care in home-based settings, there is growing interest in the industry to utilise the PACOP framework across care settings. The project aims to support aged care providers through the development and implementation of a standardised, evidence-based framework to assess an individual’s care needs, inform care planning, and monitor outcomes of care in home-based care settings.

Download the information flyer on the PACOP Home-based aged care project.

The Palliative Aged Care Outcomes Program (PACOP): A voluntary program to improve palliative care outcomes in residential aged care in Australia

This PhD research project aims to evaluate and validate the criteria in the PACOP Profile Collection assessments that support early recognition of palliative and end-of-life care needs in individuals in residential aged care. This study represents a novel contribution to the understanding of complex illness trajectories. It will contribute to the ongoing development of evidence-based criteria for use in standardised assessments in aged care settings. By bridging the gap between understanding illness trajectories and standardised assessment through the analysis of clinical data, this research aims to enhance the comprehensiveness, relevance, effectiveness, and usability of standardised assessment protocols, improving outcomes of care for those in residential aged care in Australia.