What aspects of pain management are covered in the Palliative Care guidelines

The Palliative Care guidelines provide guidance on managing pain caused by advanced and progressive disease in patients who are in the last year of life, including the last days of life. Although the data that inform the recommendations in these guidelines are predominantly from patients with cancer, it is the consensus view of the Palliative Care Expert Group that these recommendations may be applied to any patient in their last year of life. For all other patients with palliative care needs, follow the management advice outlined in the Pain and Analgesia guidelines, while considering the potential benefits and burdens of each intervention, and the patient’s prognosis, preferences and goals of care (see also Principles of symptom management in palliative care). Patients with palliative care needs may have limited ability to engage in self-management of chronic pain, so analgesic therapy may have a larger role.