https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4889-0244Our research team is studying theoretical, empirical, and methodological aspects of measuring the effectiveness of specialized palliative care. This involves developing and testing potential models for the provision of palliative care, as well as validating existing measures of palliative care effectiveness and creating new ones. A particular focus is the early involvement of palliative care services in the outpatient setting. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we are conducting a large two-centre randomised controlled trial of Symptom screening with Targeted Early Palliative care (STEP), versus usual care, in patients with advanced cancer. Funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and CIHR, we are also conducting a multi-centre randomized trial of a joint psychological and physical symptom intervention to improve patient well-being and symptom control in patients with acute leukemia.