"Patients and families will be greatly supported by holding the 'Care Companion' as they navigate the complex journey of progressive advanced disease and decision-making surrounding potential treatments to support their best quality of life.
Starting with 'Truth Telling' often the most difficult part of the patient/family/clinician interaction, where 'bad news' is feared and communication needs to be on the patient’s terms, the 'Care Companion' supports the individual's values and choices.
I have always valued 'personhood' as the most important aspect of caring for those at end of life and wish to endorse this very significant document, as it will improve shared decision making for our patients, carers, and families."
- Associate Professor Carol Douglas - Medical Director, Queensland Palliative Medicine Training Program
The Care Companion is a patient decision aid that supports shared decision-making for people with serious health conditions. It was developed in response to calls from patients and carers that they want to be involved in decisions about their treatment and care and need sufficient information to do this. The Care Companion was co-designed with hundreds of healthcare professionals and consumers in Queensland, to facilitate honest conversations and guide decisions about treatment and care. The Care Companion can be introduced by patients, carers, or healthcare teams, helping all involved to
- understand the person's health condition and what might happen in the future
- understand the person's values and preferences
- understand the benefits, risks and unknowns of available treatment and care options
- decide on the best option based on what is important to the person.
Care Companion video
Watch a short video explaining the Care Companion or access a narrated version of the video.
Contact
Healthcare Improvement Unit, Clinical Excellence Queensland
Level 2, 15 Butterfield Street, Herston, QLD 4006
Email: HIU@health.qld.gov.au
