Tools for GPs to improve patient understanding of palliative care

According to recently released research, only 14% of Australians have an advance health directive in place, with lack of patient knowledge cited as a major barrier.
 
To help encourage more people to think about their end-of-life experience, Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has been enlisted by the Department of Health and Aged Care to create a national education campaign to inform patients about its benefits.
 
The campaign, ‘Palliative Care: It’s more than you think!’, is now onto its second stage, with a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, as well and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
 
Why are we running this campaign?
There is a particular lack of awareness and knowledge regarding palliative care plans in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities. As a result, many people are missing out on the care they need and are being forced to face traumatic end-of-life experiences.
 
Palliative care should be available to anyone with a life-limiting illness, regardless of postcode, diagnosis, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status or place of care. It helps people live as well as possible for as long as possible, and can also provide support for family and carers.
 
How can you help?
PCA has co-designed a range of educational resources specific to CALD and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups about palliative care.
 
These kits are being sent to general practices around Australia, and it would be greatly appreciated if GPs could share the resources with any patient who is likely to benefit.
 
Improving the understanding and awareness of palliative care, in order to create better health and end-of-life outcomes for all Australians is of the utmost importance and we thank all practitioners in advance for their help in spreading the message and educating patients.
 
GPs with questions about the resources and those would like access to them online can visit the campaign website or contact PCA via communications@palliativecare.org.au or 02 6232 0700.
 
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health culturally and linguistically diverse communities palliative care