Dr Arjun Poudel1, Dr Keryn Johnson1, Dr Animut Ayalew1, Dr Jack Thepsourinthone1, Ms Stacey Heer1, Dr Deidre Morgan2, Dr Judy Mullan3, Dr Andrew Bonney3, Ms Sabina Clapham1
1Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration, Australasian Health Outcomes Consortium, Faculty of Science, Medicine, and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia, 2Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying (RePaDD), Palliative and End-of-Life Care, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia, 3Graduate School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
Biography:
Dr Poudel is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australasian Health Outcomes Consortium at the University of Wollongong.
He holds a PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Queensland and has over 18 years of experience in pharmacy education, research, and practice across Nepal, Canada, and Australia. A recognised expert in aging, pharmacotherapy for frail older adults, and palliative care, he specialises in developing research-driven learning environments that foster academic excellence and innovation. His research has influenced policy changes and earned academic recognition. He has also supervised PhD candidates in both academic and industrial settings at multiple levels of responsibility.
Abstract:
Background:
Early identification of people who may benefit from palliative care is associated with improved quality of life and survival. However, palliative care is often introduced late, and existing screening protocols are underused in primary care. The National Palliative Care Coordination (NPCC) sub-study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to integrating a palliative care needs assessment screening protocol (GenPal) into general practice.
Aim:
To investigate general practitioner’s (GPs), practice nurse’s (PNs), and consumer’s perspectives on the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation needs for integrating a palliative care needs assessment screening protocol into general practice.
Methods:
A qualitative design guided by a pragmatic approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs and PNs and focus groups discussions were held with consumers living with chronic progressive illness or palliative care needs. Interviews explored current practices, barriers, facilitators, and resource needs for protocol integration. Data were thematically analysed.
Results:
Participants supported the concept of early and structured palliative care needs assessment. GPs and PNs highlighted the potential of GenPal to improve early identification but noted barriers, including time constraints, workflow disruption, funding gaps, and digital literacy challenges among older patients. Key enablers included simple visual tools, integration with clinical software, and training in communication and symptom assessment. Specialist nurses were viewed as key enablers for bridging communication and trust. Consumers reinforced the importance of early and ongoing conversations about future care.
Conclusion:
The GenPal protocol was viewed as a valuable tool to support early identification of palliative care needs in general practice. However, participants emphasised that screening thresholds should serve as guides rather than rigid standards, as decisions depend on individual clinical and patient circumstances. Successful and sustainable implementation will require adequate workforce training, digital integration, and funding support to embed routine palliative care needs assessment into general practice.