Establishment of the first Australian public and health-professional palliative care advice service: exploring caller needs and gaps in care
Details
Publication Year 2023,Volume 47,Issue #5,Page 569-573
Journal Title
Australian Health Review
Publication Type
Research article
Abstract
This study explores and describes the state-wide needs of the first 1000 calls to the newly established Victorian Palliative Care Advice Service (PCAS). A retrospective analysis investigated calls from the Victorian general public (n = 618 calls) and healthcare professionals (n = 382 calls) to PCAS between 26 May 2020 and 24 October 2022. Caller demographics, disease type, reason for call, and perceived utility of service were described. Most calls were from members of the public (62%) and related to malignant conditions (41%). Regional/rural clients comprised 45% of all calls to the service, of which half (50%) were health professionals seeking advice on symptom management and medication. One-third (29.3%) of all calls from health professionals were escalated to a palliative care medical consultant. PCAS prevented calls to emergency services in 10% of cases, and 82% of callers reported their issue was 'very much' or 'completely' addressed by PCAS. PCAS was shown to be frequently used by the public and healthcare professionals supporting patients with advanced, life-limiting illnesses. The service provided a solution without requiring complex technology, delivering a rapid connection for consumers with specialist palliative care expertise that might otherwise be unavailable, particularly in regional areas.
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Department(s)
Palliative Care
PubMed ID
37516935
Publisher's Version
https://doi.org/10.1071/AH23108
Terms of Use/Rights Notice
Refer to copyright notice on published article.


Creation Date: 2023-12-05 12:35:31
Last Modified: 2024-07-09 05:57:20

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