As Australia marks National Palliative Care Week from 11 - 17 May, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is recognising the critical role Rural Generalists (RGs) play in delivering high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care to people living in dispersed rural populations.

Where access to specialist services is limited, it is often the RG who stands alongside patients and their families during life’s final chapter - providing not only expert clinical care, but continuity, compassion, and cultural understanding. 

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says the unique relationship that RGs have with their patients allows for a more personal and values-led approach to palliative care. 

“The last gift a doctor can give their patient is an experience at the end of life that reflects their wishes,” Dr Martin says. 

“RGs are there from the beginning to the very end, caring for patients in their homes, hospitals, aged care facilities, and hospices.  

“That continuity of care means patients and their families can have confidence that they’ll be supported with dignity, compassion, and respect.” 

Rural Generalists with advanced training in palliative care are equipped to manage complex palliative needs without the direct support of a local specialist. They work across care settings and in collaboration with nurses, allied health professionals, and specialist services via outreach and telehealth. 

Through ACRRM’s Advanced Specialised Training (AST) in Palliative Care, Rural Generalists are trained to: 

  • deliver care in home, hospital, hospice or aged care settings 
  • lead multidisciplinary teams in palliative care 
  • provide advice and support to other health professionals 
  • maximise specialist outreach and telehealth services 
  • train others and help develop palliative care services and policies in their communities 

“Palliative care in rural and remote Australia isn’t about less; it’s about doing things differently,” Dr Martin explains, 

“Rural Generalists ensure that patients receive the care they want, where they want it, with their loved ones close and their values respected. 

“ACRRM is proud to support and train Rural Generalists who deliver this essential care at the heart of their communities,” Dr Martin says. 

ENDS