This site houses the MAPCARE Resource which has been developed specifically for health care professionals working in acute care settings in Adelaide, however it provides information for any clinician caring for patients who are facing life limiting illnesses.

Time is important, so the resource has been developed to present information in a way that can be accessed easily and quickly.

Each section focuses on several key messages with additional explanatory notes or suggestions.

MAPCARE includes information about palliative patients, their families and caregivers and covers areas such as:

• assessing and managing symptoms
• communication in challenging situations
• the location, contact details and referral methods for specialist services in the metropolitan and country regions
• care planning using the skills of the multidisciplinary team
• discharge planning suggestions including family meetings
• suggestions for managing special needs groups which includes paediatrics, patients of culturally and linguistically diverse groups and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
• supporting bereaved family and caregivers
• self management strategies for health professionals
• relevant information and resources are located at the end of each section
• links to valuable websites should you want to read more or find further details about specific topics.

For clarification or additional specific information contact staff from your closest specialist palliative care team - see 'Accessing Resources' section or visit www.pallcare.asn.au for service locations and details.

This concept was developed by the Palliative Care Nurses Professional Forum, funding for this project was provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and sponsorship was provided by the Palliative Care Council of SA.