[Identification and management of palliative care needs in primary care. A practical proposal]

The heterogeneous and unique characteristics of advanced disease frequently compromise the emotional adjustment of patients and families, generating a high demand for care. These conditions often exceed approaches based on protocols and clinical guidelines, making an adequate, individualized and precise situational diagnosis essential, which facilitates an efficient shared decision-making and a quality patient-centered care. Palliative care, therefore, should be based on the degree of care complexity, determined by the needs of the patient-family unit and the problem-solving capacity of healthcare resources, with the community being an environment of specific complexity. Identifying these needs early allows for a more humane, personalized and effective care, improving the experience of the disease process. Due to their position in the healthcare system as well as their comprehensive and continuous knowledge of their patients, family doctors can and should play a crucial role in this process.