Can death from chronic life-limiting illnesses be predcted in Australian general practice? A study exploring the feasablility and acceptability of a case finding approach to patients nearing the end-of-life

It is postulated that systematically identifying and providing end-of-life care planning can improve the care of dying patients in general practice. This study aims to: (1) compare the accuracy of GP acumen versus clinical predictor tools in prospectively identifying patients at risk of dying in the next 6 months; and (2) explore the feasibility and acceptability of this approach to end-of-life care planning.

The first aim will be addressed by recruiting 20 general practices, randomly allocating them to use their clinical acumen alone or clinical acumen plus a clinical prediction tool to predict patients at risk of dying over the next 6 months. Practice records will be analysed 6 months later to assess the accuracy of the different methods.

The second aim will be addressed by conducting interviews and focus groups with GPs, practice nurses, other practice staff, palliative care physicians and palliative care nurses.

Can death from chronic life-limiting illnesses be predcted in Australian general practice? A study exploring the feasablility and acceptability of a case finding approach to patients nearing the end-of-life (18kb pdf).