A review of palliative care clinical indicators for pain

Clients of palliative care services should have access to a high-quality palliative care service system that promotes evidence-based practice. Pain impacts significantly on the quality of life of people with chronic conditions. There is little evidence of any consistency in routine assessment and management of pain for palliative care patients. The aim of implementing pain clinical indicators is to improve pain management for patients. The Victorian Palliative Care Clinical Network (PCCN) identified the key priority regarding consistent practice in the management of pain. The Victorian Department of Health funded this project which was led by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Department of Pain and Palliative Care.