Using SPICT in Primary Care – new research

The SPICT tool supports identification of people with palliative care needs by primary care clinicians according to 3 recent research studies.

Dutch GP’s used an electronic version of SPICT successfully in clinical practice (van Wijmen et al) and a retrospective study of referrals to general community nurses found many patients with non-cancer illnesses and palliative care needs (Robinson J et al).

Afshar and colleagues in Germany completed a detailed implementation study where GPs trained in using SPICT were able to identify patients and deliver palliative care and care planning

• van Wijmen, M. P. S., Schweitzer, B. P. M., Pasman, H. R., Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D. (2020). Identifying patients who could benefit from palliative care by making use of the general practice information system: the Surprise Question versus the SPICT. Family practice, 37(5), 641–647. (Electronic version of SPICT supports identification in primary care) https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmaa049
• Robinson J, Frey R, Gibbs G, Hayden M, Gott M. The contribution of generalist community nursing to palliative care: a retrospective case note review International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2023 29:2, 75-82. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2023.29.2.75
• Afshar, K., van Baal, K., Wiese, B. et al. Structured implementation of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool in general practice – A prospective interventional study with follow-up. BMC Palliat Care 21, 214 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-022-01107-y