Changing perceptions on palliative care

‘IT’S more than you think’ is the theme of National Palliative Care Week 2021, as health care providers across the country look to change the conversation around the complex medical field.

Bendigo Health is holding a webinar as part of its Tuesdays@2 series on 25 May and palliative care nurse practitioner Anita Wild said she hopes a range of people dial in.

“A lot of community engagement would be fantastic,” she said. “I think the more consumers we can get on board to understand more about palliative care the better.

“Then, if they feel like they know somebody who might benefit from palliative care they can encourage them to see their GP or talk to their local health care provider.

“We are also happy for a lot of health care professionals to dial in and just try and up their knowledge around what palliative care is and how we can support their patients.”

Ms Wild, who was voted Mentor of the Year last year by the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, said there are a lot of misconceptions around palliative care, including that it is simply end of life care.

“When people think of palliative care, they think someone is actively dying and they’re in their last days to weeks of life,” she said.

“But it’s around that early access so patients that are known to have a life limiting illness, we might be able to improve their quality of life and their wellbeing by accessing palliative care services earlier.

“We can optimise their symptom management, and quality of life so they can live as happily and independent as possible and just enjoying that family time while they still can at home.”

Ms Wild said advancements in early access palliative care and medical treatments mean a lot of her patients are living longer.

“Palliative care is becoming an exciting area of health where we’re able to do more and more for our patients and we are seeing more well patients and that brightens our day,” she said.

For more information on Bendigo Health’s Tuesdays@2 series visit bendigohealth.org.au/UpcomingSessions.