Victorian doctors in specialties likely to be involved in end-of-life decisions are being surveyed about their decision-making practices. Researchers from the Centre of Research Excellence in End-of-Life Care (funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council) are conducting a study to determine what sort of end-of-life decisions are being made by doctors, how often these decisions occur and for what sort of patients.
At present, there are no up-to-date, representative Australian data describing the frequency and nature of medical end-of-life decisions, and the characteristics of patients about whom such decisions are made. The research aims to provide an evidence base to understand current medical practice in Victoria including the extent to which palliative care is provided to patients at the end of life. Findings from this research will also inform improvements in the quality of end-of-life care.
A sample of Victorian doctors will be contacted from 9 April by the Australian Medical Association’s Australia Medical Publishing Company to invite them to complete a survey. The survey can be completed in hard copy or online. Participating doctors who complete their survey before 16 May will go into the draw for one of three prizes to the value of $100 – in fine wine, or a donation to a registered charity of their choice.
If you have any queries about this research, please feel free to contact Dr Rachel Feeney: rachel.feeney@qut.edu.au. The research team is grateful for the time and insight of the doctors who support this research by completing this survey.
Disclaimer: This article was provided by Australian Centre for Health Law Research – Queensland University of Technology. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
