For patients

Working together for your health

Your GP may suggest a case conference — a meeting where they bring your wider health team together to review your care and plan the best way forward. Here's what that means for you.

Safe & secure Medicare-covered No cost to you
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Your whole team, on the same page GP · specialists · allied health
A GP taking part in a video case conference from her consulting room A team meeting about you

The basics

What is a case conference?

A case conference is a meeting where your GP and a team of health professionals come together to review your care. The goal is to make sure every aspect of your health is considered, and to agree on the best approach to your treatment.

Managing several health needs at once can feel overwhelming. A case conference brings your care team together — so you don't have to coordinate everyone on your own. Your GP organises it; we just make it easy for them.

Why me?

Why has my GP recommended a case conference?

01

Your health situation is complex

02

Your conditions are chronic or ongoing

03

Several providers are involved in your care

04

Your GP would value extra input in planning your care

Any of these is a good reason — it's a sign your GP is being thorough about your care.

What's in it for you

How a case conference can help you

Bringing the right people together means nothing about your care falls through the cracks.

Coordinated care

Everyone looking after you is on the same page, working from one shared plan.

Better decisions

Your GP draws on the team's combined expertise to choose the best treatment for you.

Nothing missed

Care concerns are identified early, so important issues aren't overlooked.

A clear plan

You come away with a coordinated care plan tailored to your needs.

Specialist input

Access expert advice from specialists — with no extra out-of-pocket cost to you.

Peace of mind

Knowing your team is talking to each other takes the worry off your shoulders.

The evidence

Backed by research

Studies show people who receive coordinated care through case conferencing experience real, measurable benefits.

  • Fewer hospital admissions
  • Fewer emergency department visits
  • Better-managed symptoms
  • Improved quality of life
  • More effective, tailored care plans
  • Safer, more appropriate medications
  • Greater understanding of your condition
  • Lower overall healthcare costs

Step by step

What happens during a case conference

Four simple stages — and you usually don't need to attend any of them.

1

Your GP brings the team together

Your GP connects with the right health providers for your care in a secure online meeting — each bringing their own expertise.

2

The team reviews your needs

Together they look at your history, current health and individual needs to build a full picture of your situation.

3

They plan your care

The team agrees on the best ways to support you and shapes a coordinated, multidisciplinary care plan.

4

Your GP talks it through with you

Your GP explains any proposed changes, answers your questions, and makes sure you're fully informed and involved in the decisions.

Do I need to be there? Usually not — the team meets on your behalf and your GP shares the outcomes with you afterwards. Sometimes your GP may invite you (or a family member, with your consent) if they feel it would help.

Good to know

Your questions, answered

Is there any cost to me?

No. Case conferences are fully covered by Medicare with no gap fees — there is zero cost to you.

Will my information stay private?

Absolutely. Only relevant information is shared with the health professionals in your care team, and every participant is bound by strict patient confidentiality. The platform your GP uses is fully secure and privacy-compliant.

Who might be in the meeting?

Your GP chooses the right team to review your care. That may include specialists, allied health providers (such as physiotherapists or dietitians) and other professionals involved in your treatment.

How will my GP involve me in decisions?

After the conference, your GP meets with you to explain the plan, discuss the team's suggestions and answer your questions. You stay fully informed and involved in every decision about your care.

What happens afterwards?

Your GP shares the outcomes of the meeting, talks through any changes to your care plan, and answers anything you'd like to know. You can ask for a written summary to keep track of your treatment and next steps.

How long does it take, and how often?

The meeting itself usually runs between 15 and 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your care — and because you don't need to attend, it won't disrupt your day. How often depends on your needs; your GP will guide you.

Can my family be involved?

Yes. While a case conference is usually between health providers, your GP can include family members in the discussion with your explicit consent.

What is Conference.care?

Conference.care is the secure platform GPs use to organise and hold case conferences. Your GP coordinates your care — we simply make it easy and secure for them to bring your team together.

Your choices

This is your care — and your choice

A case conference can only happen with your consent. Your doctor will explain the process and ask for your agreement before anything is arranged.

You can withdraw your consent at any time — before or after the meeting — and it won't affect the care you receive from your doctor in any other way.

If you have questions or would like to opt out, contact your GP practice directly or email patients@conference.care.

Already been invited?

Your doctor has arranged a meeting about your care

If you've received a message about an upcoming case conference, we've put together a short guide explaining what to expect.

What to expect

Take the first step

Feel you'd benefit from a case conference? Ask your GP.

If you see several health providers or manage ongoing conditions, a case conference could help bring your care together. Start the conversation with your GP — you can take this flyer along to your next appointment.

A patient reading about their care on a mobile phone

“Coordinated care means everyone is on the same page — for your health, and your peace of mind.”

Conference.care helps your GP bring your care team together. Clinician-built, clinically trusted.

References

  1. King MA, Roberts MS. Multidisciplinary case conference reviews: improving outcomes for nursing home residents, carers and health professionals. Pharmacy World & Science. 2001;23(2):41–5. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1011215008000
  2. Agar M, Luckett T, Luscombe G, Phillips J, Beattie E, Pond D, et al. Effects of facilitated family case conferencing for advanced dementia: a cluster randomised clinical trial. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(8):e0181020. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181020
  3. Shelby-James T, Currow D, Phillips P, Williams H, Abernethy A. Promoting patient centred palliative care through case conferencing. Australian Family Physician. 2007;36(11):961–3. Available from: https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200711/20754
  4. Phillips JL, West PA, Davidson PM, Agar M. Does case conferencing for people with advanced dementia living in nursing homes improve care outcomes: evidence from an integrative review? International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2012;50(8):1122–35. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.11.001
  5. Shelby-James T, Butow P, Davison G, Currow D. Case conferences in palliative care: a substudy of a cluster randomised controlled trial. Australian Family Physician. 2012;41(8):608–12.
  6. Vest JR, Blackburn J, Yeager VA, Haut DP, Halverson PK. Primary care-based case conferences and reductions in health care utilization. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 2021;32(3):1288–1300. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2021.0132
  7. Reuther S, Dichter MN, Büscher I, Vollmar HC, Holle D, Bartholomeyczik S, et al. Case conferences as interventions dealing with the challenging behavior of people with dementia in nursing homes: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics. 2012;24(12):1891–1903. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/s1041610212001342
  8. Mitchell G, Del Mar C, O'Rourke P, Clavarino A. Do case conferences between general practitioners and specialist palliative care services improve quality of life? A randomised controlled trial. Palliative Medicine. 2008;22(8):904–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216308096721
  9. Hollingworth S, Zhang J, Vaikuntam BP, Jackson C, Mitchell G. Case conference primary-secondary care planning at end of life can reduce the cost of hospitalisations. BMC Palliative Care. 2016;15(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-016-0157-9