General practitioners play an integral role in promoting and facilitating advance care planning. They are able to support patients through the planning process, discuss problematic issues and provide information on the patient's health, prognosis and future treatment options.
The often long-term relationship between the general practitioner and the patient means advance care planning can begin at an opportune, early time.
Advance care planning can be introduced in general practice through:
- usual assessments and care planning such as the 75+ Health Assessment and Chronic Disease Management planning
- routine consultations with a patient who has a chronic illness, is at risk of losing capacity, is in an aged care facility, has just received a significant diagnosis etc.
- follow-up consultations after a hospital admission
Starting the conversation
General practitioners play an important role in encouraging patients to engage in advance care planning.
Learn more about starting the conversation.
Responsibilities of general practitioners
General practitioners have unique responsibilities when it comes to advance care planning.
Learn more about the responsibilities of general practitioners.
Training
Online Courses - Advance Care Planning Australia Learning
Our online learning website offers an advance care planning education module specifically for primary care settings. Visit training and education to find out more.
The Advance Project
The Advance Project is a training package designed to support Australian general practices implement a team-based approach to initiating advance care planning and palliative care into everyday clinical practice.
Distinct training activities are designed for:
- general practitioners
- nurses working in general practice
- general practice managers
Visit The Advance Project to find out more.
Medicare Benefits Schedule Items
From 1 November 2023, GPs and other medical practitioners are better able to support their patients with advance care planning, under new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Level E consultation items.
Level E consultations of 60 minutes or longer enable GPs and other doctors the time to support patients with their advance care planning and improve care outcomes.
The new Level E consultation items will improve patient care outcomes by allowing GPs to provide longer consultations to patients where clinically required.
For more information visit the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Printable guides for practices
For more printable guides, see our range of support materials available to print or download.