Dr Ahmed Nagla

Dr Ahmed Nagla M.B.B.CH, DCH, FRACGP, FAChPM

I am the Palliative Care Clinical Lead at Latrobe Regional Health and the Palliative Care Consultancy Gippsland. Additionally, I am a palliative care physician at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. I also participate in the ReViTALISE program as one of the Clinical Trials Consultants. My focus is on building research capacity in regional areas, ensuring that the unique needs of these communities are addressed. With the support of networks like ReViTALISE and a shared vision among colleagues, I have helped integrate research into clinical practice, hoping to make a meaningful difference for patients and their families.

I was drawn to research because I wanted to make a difference in how palliative care is delivered, especially in regional areas like Gippsland. Research allows me to ask important questions and find solutions that matter to the people we care for. With the guidance of experienced research groups like ReViTALISE and the unwavering support of my local team, I gained the confidence to start projects that matter to our local communities in Gippsland. I believe research is not just about generating knowledge, it’s about using that knowledge to make care more compassionate and effective, especially in places where resources are limited.

I enjoy the sense of teamwork that comes with research. Working with different teams at different levels, such as the ReViTALISE team, the local research team, the cancer services team, and my local palliative care team has been inspiring. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see an idea evolve into a working protocol and eventually into a clinical trial, that will hopefully provide direct benefits to our local community. Research not only helps me grow as a clinician but also expands my professional network, challenges me to work out of my comfort zone, and embraces innovation to improve patient care.

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing clinical responsibilities with research, especially in a regional setting where time and resources are often limited. Engaging in research, especially in palliative care clinical trials, can be quite complex and may vary based on local conditions. However, having the support of a research centre such as Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, along with the support of my local research team and cancer service team, has been invaluable. Together, we’ve developed tailored approaches and found creative solutions to make research possible, building a collaborative environment that enables success.

Collaboration has been the key to overcoming challenges. Whether working with external networks like ReViTALISE or at the local level with the research team and cancer service team at Latrobe Regional Health, teamwork has been essential. We made a conscious decision to integrate with the cancer service team and to transition from a department-driven to a health service-driven program that has allowed us to share ideas, solve problems together, and celebrate each success, no matter how small. Seeing how our efforts directly improve patient care keeps me motivated and reinforces the importance of working collaboratively to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Conducting my first research project in palliative care, “Attitudes of Palliative Care Practitioners towards Enrolling Patients in Clinical Trials,” taught me that understanding the local environment and having the support of the local research team is crucial for success. The best advice I received was to focus on collaboration and never be shy to ask for help. As Jenny Philip once told me, “The long road of research has very sweet rewards!”. This has stayed with me as a reminder that research is a journey of constant learning. Going through the learning curve time and time again is never easy, but I’ve embraced it, knowing the rewards are worth the effort.