Patient assessment is a critical step in identifying palliative care needs. GPs need to consider the palliative care needs of all patients with advanced life-limiting illnesses including metastatic cancer, end stage organ failure and advanced degenerative neurological conditions.
Assessment should address prognosis, current and anticipated symptoms, distress, and the availability and support needs of family and caregivers. Identifying which other members of the multidisciplinary team might be valuable is also important.
Last updated 27 March 2019