Research highlights that the general public, especially those being referred to palliative care, often have limited understanding and experience of palliative care. Many people believe that palliative care is solely care provided immediately before death, rather than care delivered to optimise quality of life to people who are seriously ill along their illness journey.

Given the misapprehensions – and sometimes misunderstandings – patients and families have when they are referred to palliative care, there is ongoing need to help patients and families understand the range of reasons for referral and the benefits they can expect from this care.

The ‘More Than They Think’ resources have been designed to address this need and better help clinicians who are referring patients to palliative care.