Episode Details

If you're a GP or frontline clinician who wants a calm, practical update on palliative care without wading through a textbook, this episode is a high-yield listen. Through four realistic cases (breathlessness and panic, malignant bowel obstruction in aged care, cancer pain and nausea in a younger patient, and comfort care with renal/liver failure), Dr Susie Muir breaks down what to do first, what to avoid, when to switch routes (subcut matters), and how to titrate core symptom meds safely—while keeping goals of care at the centre. You'll come away with a clearer mental checklist, confidence to start sensible first-line measures, and a better sense of when to pick up the phone to palliative care early rather than late.

Past episode #47 End of Life and Palliative Care with Dr Louise Welch and Dr Sam Manger available on all podcast apps and here.

Clinical & palliative care resources

• PallConsult (Queensland Health) Statewide specialist palliative care advice service with practical clinical resources for health professionals https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/pallconsult
• PallConsult resources page Includes practical guides such as caring@home medication packs and end-of-life care resources https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/pallconsult/pallconsult-resources
• Faculty of Pain Medicine (ANZCA) – Opioid Calculator Useful for opioid conversions and dose checking (always double-check calculations) https://www.anzca.edu.au/safet