17 Palliative practitioners

<h3>Background</h3> The Czech Republic currently has 5,213 general practitioners (FTEs) managing care for 7,667,207 registered adult patients (72.4% of population). As of 2024, there are in total 62 palliative care outpatient clinics; however, their distribution is uneven, particularly in rural regions, resulting in inadequate access to quality end-of-life care and significant regional disparities. <h3>Aim</h3> The objective is to expand palliative care awareness and accessibility by creating a network of general practitioners equipped with essential skills. The goal is to establish a sustainable community of practitioners capable of delivering consistent, high-quality palliative care across the country. <h3>Methods</h3> In 2023, we launched a two-year ‘Palliative Practitioners’ program, beginning with an online survey of over 340 general practitioners to identify their needs related to palliative care. Using the survey insights, we designed an intensive 9-day training course led by experts covering patient communication, legal and ethical aspects, symptom management, care planning, and self-care strategies. <h3>Results</h3> Fourteen general practitioners from various regions were selected as program Ambassadors. They participated in the initial pilot of the training course and are now disseminating best practices nationally, fostering a supportive network for continuous professional development in the community. In 2024, they delivered lectures on palliative care in six regional cities, with more activities planned for the coming year. Recruitment for the 2025 cohort is underway. <h3>Discussion</h3> The ‘Palliative Practitioners’ program is a critical step toward creating a nationwide network of general practitioners skilled in end-of-life care, offering a scalable model to address regional disparities. Future efforts will expand training cohorts and integrate the program into healthcare strategies to ensure its sustainability and broader reach.