palliMEDS app update: Supporting generalist prescribers in palliative care
An article written by A/Prof. Anthony Herbert and Dr. Greg Parker
The palliMEDS app, a trusted resource for generalist prescribers, has been updated to include prescribing information for paediatric patients and additional prescribing for adults. These enhancements make it an invaluable tool for supporting community-based palliative care patients with timely and effective symptom management.
The latest version of the free app, developed as a collaboration between the caring@home project and QuoCCA, provides evidence-based guidance on prescribing medicines for terminal symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting, breathlessness, seizures, and respiratory secretions.
The new paediatric feature ensures that healthcare professionals can now access a weight-based dose calculator for common medicines used to manage symptoms in children requiring palliative care.
Associate Professor Anthony Herbert, Clinical Lead of QuoCCA, highlighted the app’s significance. “The inclusion of paediatric prescribing information in palliMEDS is a vital step forward in ensuring that children with life-limiting conditions receive the best possible care in their own homes. It empowers generalist prescribers to make informed decisions and provide timely symptom relief."
Dr. Greg Parker, Acting Director of caring@home, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This update bridges a critical gap in paediatric palliative care. Importantly it also includes the addition of dexamethasone for adult patients. By equipping healthcare providers with accessible, evidence-based guidance, we can improve the quality of life for children, adults and their families during challenging times.”
palliMEDS has prescribing information about palliative care medicines identified by clinicians across Australia as the most useful to manage common symptoms in palliative care patients in the last few weeks of life.
The app’s user-friendly interface allows prescribers to quickly access information on recommended medicines, doses based on weight, routes of administration, and importantly an equianalgesic dose opioid calculator ensuring that patients receive appropriate care without delay. This is particularly beneficial for generalist prescribers who may not have specialised palliative care training but play a crucial role in supporting patients in their communities.
By integrating paediatric prescribing information, the app strengthens the capacity of healthcare providers to deliver timely and effective palliative care for patients of all ages.
The updated palliMEDS app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices.
caring@home and QuoCCA are funded by the Australian Government.
Authors
A/Prof. Anthony Herbert
Clinical Lead
Quality of Care Collaborative of Australia (QuoCCA)
Dr.Greg Parker
A/Director
caring@home project