Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marília de Assunção Rodrigues Ferreira Dourado is a distinguished academic and medical researcher with a strong career dedicated to education, research, and leadership in pain medicine and palliative care. As an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, she has been instrumental in advancing teaching and scientific inquiry at undergraduate, postgraduate, and master’s levels, while also supervising numerous doctoral theses, master’s dissertations, and research projects. She founded the Center for Studies and Development of Palliative Care and the NUVEM volunteer project, reflecting her commitment to innovation and social impact. With extensive participation in academic juries, scientific events, and research collaborations, she has contributed widely to knowledge dissemination, producing books, articles, and conference presentations. Recognized through awards and honors, and actively engaged in both academic and civil society organizations, she embodies excellence in research, education, and service to the medical and scientific community.

Professional Profile 

Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile 

Education

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marília de Assunção Rodrigues Ferreira Dourado graduated in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Coimbra, where she also pursued her academic career to become an Associate Professor with Aggregation. Her educational journey reflects a solid grounding in clinical medicine, enriched by specialization and teaching in pain medicine and palliative care. Over the years, she has cultivated a deep expertise that bridges clinical practice with academic scholarship, equipping her with the skills to mentor and guide future generations of medical professionals. Her commitment to education extends to multiple faculties within the University of Coimbra and beyond, including contributions to medical, dental, and pharmaceutical programs. This broad engagement highlights her multidisciplinary approach and dedication to integrating research with teaching, ensuring that her students benefit from both theoretical knowledge and practical applications within rapidly evolving healthcare fields.

Experience

Dr. Marília Dourado has extensive academic and leadership experience, having served as a lecturer, researcher, and administrator at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra. She is responsible for teaching and research in pain medicine and palliative care, playing a central role in shaping curricula at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her supervisory experience includes numerous doctoral and master’s projects, as well as coordinating internships and seminars. She has held several management and organizational roles, including membership in faculty assemblies, pedagogical councils, and international relations offices. Beyond academia, she has been actively involved in university governance and national health initiatives, contributing to committees, councils, and collaborative working groups. Her experience also extends to creating and leading impactful projects such as the Center for Studies and Development of Palliative Care and the NUVEM volunteer program, both of which underline her ability to combine research, education, and social responsibility with institutional leadership.

Research Focus

Dr. Marília Dourado’s research is centered on pain medicine and palliative care, with a focus on improving quality of life and patient-centered approaches to complex medical conditions. She has participated in numerous research projects across diverse fields including oncology, pneumology, and health systems, reflecting her multidisciplinary engagement. Her contributions encompass the supervision of high-level academic research, authorship of scientific articles, book chapters, and participation in national and international conferences. She is also active in research networks and institutions such as the Portuguese Observatory of Palliative Care, ICBR-CIMAGO, and CEISUC, which enhance the impact of her work on public health policy and practice. By integrating clinical insight with research innovation, she has strengthened the scientific foundations of palliative care and expanded understanding in areas that require sensitive, evidence-based medical interventions. Her focus remains on bridging science and compassion, translating research outcomes into tangible benefits for patients and healthcare systems.

Award and Honor

Dr. Marília Dourado has received numerous awards and honors recognizing her excellence in teaching, research, and service. Among these are distinctions for her scientific contributions, with several prizes awarded for research projects and published works. She has also been honored with formal commendations from her faculty, such as a vote of praise by the Scientific Council for her outstanding role in academic access processes. Additionally, her work in pain medicine and palliative care has earned her recognition at national conferences, including tributes highlighting her pioneering efforts in these fields. Her reputation as an expert has led to frequent invitations to deliver keynote lectures, moderate scientific sessions, and contribute to major academic events. These accolades reflect not only the quality of her research but also her dedication to advancing education and healthcare. Collectively, her awards and honors underscore her stature as a respected leader within both academic and professional medical communities.

Publication Top Notes

• Title: Opioids and constipation therapy in the last week of life: Their impact on patients, caregivers, and the location of death
  Authors: Ribeiro H; Magalhães J; Cardoso T; Chaves-Castro I; Lopes-Mota C; Costa E; Rocha P; Lopes L; Bouça Â; Pereira C; et al.; Marília Dourado
  Year: 2023

• Title: Platelet Membrane Proteins as Pain Biomarkers in Patients with Severe Dementia
  Authors: Ribeiro H; Alves R; Jorge J; Gonçalves AC; Sarmento-Ribeiro AB; Teixeira-Veríssimo M; Dourado M; Andrade JP
  Year: 2023

• Title: “Dignity as a Small Candle Flame That Doesn’t Go Out!”: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study with Patients Living with Advanced COPD
  Authors: Laranjeira C; Dourado M
  Year: 2022

• Title: Novel Non-Viral Vectors Based on Pluronic® F68PEI with Application in Oncology Field
  Authors: Silva I; Domingues C; Jarak I; Carvalho RA; Cordeiro RA; Dourado M; Veiga F; Faneca H; Figueiras A
  Year: 2022

• Title: Where Is Nano Today and Where Is It Headed? A Review of Nanomedicine and the Dilemma of Nanotoxicology
  Authors: Domingues C; Santos A; Alvarez-Lorenzo C; Concheiro A; Jarak I; Veiga F; Barbosa I; Dourado M; Figueiras A
  Year: 2022

• Title: Apoptosis and (in) Pain – Potential Clinical Implications
  Authors: Ribeiro H; Sarmento-Ribeiro AB; Andrade JP; Dourado M
  Year: 2022

• Title: Prescription Trends at the End of Life in a Palliative Care Unit: Observational Study
  Authors: Peralta T; Castel-Branco MM; Reis-Pina P; Figueiredo IV; Dourado M
  Year: 2022

• Title: Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Pain and Aging: Adjusting Prescription to Patient Features
  Authors: Ribeiro H; Rodrigues I; Napoleão L; Lira L; Marques D; Veríssimo M; Andrade JP; Dourado M
  Year: 2022

• Title: The Portuguese Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills Measure: Validity and Reliability
  Authors: Ferreira PL; Simões AL; Dourado M; Holm MB; Rogers JC
  Year: 2021

• Title: Validity and Reliability of the Portuguese-Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (P-PASS) for Individuals with Disabilities
  Authors: Ferreira PL; Simões AL; Dourado M; Holm MB; Rogers JC
  Year: 2020

• Title: Knowledge of Palliative Care Among Medical Students of the University of Coimbra
  Authors: Oliveira S; Santiago LM; Dourado M
  Year: 2020Title: Implementation of the Humanitude Care Methodology: Contribution to the Quality of Health Care
  Authors: Henriques LVL; Dourado MARF; Melo RCCP; Tanaka LH
  Year: 2019

Conclusion

The body of work by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marília Dourado reflects a strong commitment to advancing medical knowledge in pain medicine, palliative care, geriatrics, oncology, and healthcare methodology. Her publications demonstrate a balance between clinical research, translational science, and qualitative studies that capture patient and caregiver perspectives. By contributing to biomarker discovery, therapeutic evaluations, care methodology innovations, and policy-relevant studies, she has established a multidisciplinary impact both in academia and in healthcare practice. The diversity of her research—spanning molecular studies, clinical observations, and humanistic approaches—underscores her ability to address complex health challenges holistically. This consistent record of publications, collaborations, and recognized contributions highlights her as a researcher whose work not only enriches scientific literature but also improves patient care and caregiver support, making her a deserving candidate for recognition and awards in the field of medical research.