Assessment tools
- CareSearchgp App– Smartphone app that supports GPs in delivering quality palliative care across the life course. It brings together guidance on terminal prescribing for specific symptoms and evidence-based information on key care issues
- Needs Assessment Tool for Progressive Disease (NAT:PD)
From Centre for Health Research and Psycho-oncology
Used in both generalist and specialist settings, the Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease (NAT: PD) can assist in matching the types and levels of need experienced by people with progressive chronic diseases (eg cancer, heart failure, COPD) and their caregivers with the most appropriate people or services to address those needs.
- The PEPSICOLA aide memoire
A palliative care monthly review checklist from Gold Standards Framework website - The modified Karnofsky scale
For assessing performance state and prognosis in advanced disease - Validation of the Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Scale
From BMC Palliative Care - The ECOG score
For assessing performance state and prognosis in advanced cancer - Abbey Pain Scale
To assess pain in the patient who is cognitively impaired or unable to communicate verbally - Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia - PAINAD Scale
Validated tool for use in dementia - Symptom review - SAS
The standard symptom assessment tool used in Australian palliative care services. Assesses 7 core symptoms - Symptom review - Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale
Used for a more extensive assessment of physical and psychological problems - Delirium – Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
Validated screening tool for delirium from The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University - The Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin, US
Produces factsheets including:
Reminder: You can quick log CPD for completing each module or using the resources and tools above via MyCPD or via the RACGP CPD app.
