Research project – Investigating Gender Bias in Paediatric Palliative Care
Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) provides holistic support to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. This study aims to examine gender bias among healthcare professionals toward fathers in PPC – something which has rarely been explored.
Emerging studies have suggested that fathers in PPC often struggle to form relationships and face barriers in seeking emotional support and information – but it remains unclear whether this is due to personal disinterest or because they are not meaningfully included. Evidence increasingly suggests the latter. If men are viewed as stoic and self-reliant, while women as emotional, despite identical caregiving behaviour, these biases can shape healthcare professionals’ judgements and behaviour. This can result in differential treatment, differing responses to needs and varying access to conversations, information and support.
Mark Garmino, MSc Psychology student, Northumbria University
October 2025
To examine gender bias toward fathers in PPC by healthcare professionals. Ultimately, to inspire a new way of thinking and a new approach to paternal involvement in this context.
The study will explore how gender bias might appear in clinical interactions in the context of:
- Attitudes – beliefs and values toward parents
- Engagement – communication and partnership
- Time allocation – perceived importance
Qualitative analysis will be undertaken over five years.
A vignette-based experimental design will be deployed in which only the gender of the caregiver is manipulated while keeping caregiving behaviours constant.