Case Conferencing For Palliative Patients: What is the Role of Specialist Palliative Services?

General Practitioners (GPs) are in an unique position to coordinate the care of community based palliative patients. Growing evidence supports the use of case conferences (CCs) to assist GPs in this coordination role. The aim of this study was to explore South Australian (SA) GPs’ experience and attitudes to involvement with CCs for palliative patients. The SA Palliative Care Clinical Network Research Collaborative (PCCNRC) developed, piloted and modified an online survey which asked for GP characteristics along with their involvement and attitude towards using CCs. GP partners (a membership based GP organisation) administered and distributed the survey to their members. Data were obtained from 11% GPs (134/1274). Nearly 80% of the GPs saw value in conducting a CC for a palliative care patient yet only around one third had been involved in a CC in the last two years. The proportion of GPs involved with CC for palliative patients increased from 34% (30/89) to 78% (7/9) when approached by a Specialist Palliative Care Service. Key barriers to participating in CC for GPs were time and availability, whilst enablers were a good relationship with the patient, involvement of specialist palliative care services, clear triggers and assistance with organisation This report highlights opportunities for new models of care, including the role of Specialist Palliative Care Services, in improving the uptake of case conferencing for palliative patients living in the community.