Reviewing symptom management plans in palliative care

A symptom management plan must be flexible and responsive to the patient’s changing needs and priorities as their life-limiting illness progresses. A proactive approach with frequent review, reassessment and modification is essential to achieve holistic patient-centred symptom management.

Plan when the patient will be followed up and ensure that they know when, by whom and where they will be reviewed. Give the patient and their carers written details for whom to contact or how to seek medical assistance if symptoms do not improve, or if other problems occur.

When reviewing the patient and their management plan, be thorough and pay attention to detail of the presenting (or any new) symptom(s). If a symptom does not improve, modify or stop the initial management plan. Deteriorating patients can have rapid or unexpected changes in their symptoms, capabilities and goals.

Fine-tuning of the management plan is important. Even small adjustments in symptom management can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life.