Guide to end-of-life issues

Australian health practitioners now have new guidelines to help them discuss end-of-life issues with palliative care patients and their families.
Clinical practice guidelines for communicating prognosis and end-of-life issues with adults in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness, and their caregivers was developed by a team from Sydney and Flinders Universities, led by Dr Josephine Clayton, and funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Terminal prognosis and end-of-life issues are difficult topics for patients, health professionals and their families but discussion is essential in order to make plans for remaining life and to prepare for death.

The guidelines not only outline best practice in communicating about these issues, but also cover practical issues such as likely symptoms and how they are treated, and what will happen close to death.

For more information visit http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/186_12_180607/cla11246_fm.html