Timely Palliative Care
A Practical Framework
As part of the Cancer Patient Support Program, the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care has funded Palliative Care Australia (PCA) in partnership with the Australia New Zealand Society for Palliative Medicine to deliver a project to improve how and when oncologists refer their patients to palliative care.
Our Approach
A valuable Continuing Medical Education course has been developed to support oncologists as they care for patients and families with advanced cancer diagnoses.
Timely Palliative Care: A Practical Framework is an interactive, free accredited online CPD course developed by specialists for specialists.
The three-part course explores key concepts in the optimal timing of palliative care involvement, followed by practical communication strategies for discussing palliative care with patients and families. Designed to complement existing clinical expertise, it supports oncology and haematology clinicians through three interactive modules:
- Palliative Care in the 21st Century
- Discussing a Palliative Care Referral
- Taking Your Skills into Practice
The self-paced course is free to access and offers accredited CPD for participants.
Intended Audience
Oncology specialists working in:
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Haematology
Our Aim
For oncology specialists:
Enhanced skills training to build knowledge and confidence in initiating timely palliative care referral conversations with patients and families.
For patients and families:
Timely access to supportive care throughout the cancer journey.
Clinical Working Group Members
A Clinical Working Group provided expert opinion to inform the content and design of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) online program to ensure suitability and relevance for colleagues across target specialties.
Members of the Clinical Working Group include:
-
Further information
Contact the Senior Project Officer
Jo Risk
Jo.risk@anzspm.org.au
