Digital health is driving major change in health systems and in our community. It is challenging how we plan, organise and participate in healthcare and care for people at the end of life.

As the largest group of health care professionals in Australia, nurses have a major role in supporting the demand for palliative care across all age groups including the increasing number of older Australians approaching the end of life with chronic conditions.

Best practice palliative care is informed by the evidence. In this In Focus feature article, we look at the latest evidence on assessing and managing pain, and highlight some resources to support best practice at clinical point of care.

Supporting the needs of unpaid carers of persons at the end of life is an integral part of holistic palliative care. But what are the best practices in supporting them? We look at the latest evidence and resources available to support carers.

Education across the community is needed if palliative care is to be taken up as everyone’s business. But service providers and our health workforce have varying needs and capacity. We examine the latest evidence, current initiatives and what needs to be strengthened to prepare for the expected increase in demand for quality person-centred palliative care.