The Dying Patient

Suggested approach and Clinical Pearls

• Dying is a difficult diagnosis to make, particularly if you are part of the patient’s longitudinal care
• There is only one opportunity per lifetime to achieve a ‘good death’
• Diagnosing dying is then followed by best-practice palliative care http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/National-Consensus-Statement-Essential-Elements-forsafe-high-quality-end-of-life-care.pdf
• Palliative medicine and care is aimed at quality of life and is titrated according to effect
• Symptoms and rate of dying process needs to be considered in management plans