Palliative medicine - General Practice: The Integrative Approach. Palliative care, at its best, is provided by a team of individuals working towards common goals for a particular patient. The team may include doctors, nurses, allied healthcare staff, counsellors and family members. Symptom control, achievement of optimal quality of life and assistance with decision-making are all components of palliative care that can be provided by the general practitioner (GP). The critical role of the GP in the coordination of patient care is particularly pronounced for patients with advanced disease. Furthermore, a GP who has known a patient for much of their life is likely to have worthwhile insight into their values and wishes, and is well placed to assist them in negotiating difficult transitions.