Research & Publications

My research focuses on improving symptom control and quality of life for patients at the end of life, with particular emphasis on sedation, consciousness, and the use of novel pharmacological agents in palliative care. I lead investigator-initiated clinical trials and contribute to evidence-based practice guidelines.

Current Research

Ongoing

DREAMS: Dexmedetomidine for the Relief of End-of-life Agitation and optiMised Sedation

B. Thomas, W-S A. Lo, C. Chan, P. Spendley, Z. Nangati, G. Barclay.
Randomised clinical trial into palliative sedatives and consciousness at end of life (investigator-initiated). Awarded $50,000 Early Career Researcher Clinical Research Development Grant from ISLHD, April 2020.

Research Interests

Sedation & Consciousness

Investigating optimal approaches to palliative sedation, including the role of alpha-2 agonists like dexmedetomidine in managing refractory symptoms while preserving patient awareness.

Clinical Trials in Palliative Care

Designing and conducting rigorous clinical trials in the palliative care setting, addressing unique methodological challenges in end-of-life research.

Symptom Management

Evidence-based approaches to managing pain, delirium, nausea, and other symptoms in patients with advanced illness.

Publications

Dexmedetomidine versus midazolam for end of life sedation: the DREAMS Non-Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial

B. Thomas, G. Barclay, A. Lo, K. Mansfield, J. Mullan

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 2025

DOI PDF
Miliaria as a rare complication of end-of-life care: a case report

R. Wai, B. Sheahen, B. Thomas

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2024;16(1):85-87

DOI PDF
Dexmedetomidine versus midazolam for end of life sedation and agitation: the DREAMS Trial protocol

B. Thomas, G. Barclay, A. Lo, K. Mansfield, J. Mullan

JMIR Research Protocols, 2024;13:e55129

DOI PDF
Dexmedetomidine for end of life sedation: retrospective cohort comparison study

B. Thomas, G. Barclay, M. Barbato

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, July 2023

DOI PDF
Symptom Control in Palliative Care, 6th Edition

B. Thomas, R. Cole

Palliative Care Service, ISLHD, 2022 (Book)
Indwelling urinary catheters at the end of life are associated with less breakthrough medication use

B. Thomas, L. Hood, S. Rawson, A. Lo

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, August 2022

DOI PDF
End of life care pathways in the Emergency Department and their effects on patient and health service outcomes: an integrative review

M. Heufel, S. Kourouche, A. Lo, B. Thomas, L. Hood, K. Curtis

International Emergency Nursing, 2022

DOI
Malignant bowel obstruction symptoms: subcutaneous bolus esomeprazole – retrospective case series

B. Thomas

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, December 2021

DOI PDF
Phenobarbital sedation via subcutaneous infusion in a palliative medicine unit: retrospective review

B. Thomas

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, July 2021

DOI PDF
Dexmedetomidine for hyperactive delirium at the end of life: an open label single arm study with dose escalation in adult patients admitted to an inpatient palliative care unit

B. Thomas, W-S A. Lo, Z. Nangati, G. Barclay

Palliative Medicine, February 2021

DOI PDF
Dexmedetomidine: admixture compatibility with palliative care drugs

B. Thomas, L. Murrell, P. Spendley

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, January 2021

DOI PDF
Clonidine for the management of refractory distressing hallucinations, a case report

B. Thomas, J. Jacques, H. Stiel

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, March 2020

DOI PDF
Disseminated intravascular coagulation and melanoma: a novel case occurring in metastatic melanoma with BRAF and NRAS mutations and systematic review

L. Haggstrom, T. Dong, B. Thomas, D. Brungs, M. Aghmesheh, G. Parmar

Melanoma Research, May 2019

DOI

See my full publication list on ORCID or Google Scholar.

Conference Presentations

Oral Presentation: Is Dexmedetomidine Superior to Midazolam for End of Life Sedation? A Randomised Controlled Trial EAPC Research Congress, Barcelona, 2024
Poster Presentation (cancelled due to COVID-19) EAPC Research Congress, Palermo, 2020
Poster and Presentation: Efficacy and Case-mix of an Inpatient Consultative Palliative Care Service ANZSPM, Perth, 2016