This exploratory study aimed to assess the impact of specialist palliative services on end-of-life care provided to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is a progressively debilitating, fatal disease of motor neuron degeneration. Care for patients with ALS relies on a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals that may include palliative care specialists, who provide expertise in pain and symptom management, supporting caregivers, coping with the emotional impact of ALS, and defining goals of care across the disease trajectory. Few studies have examined the impact of specialist palliative care for patients with ALS, resulting in an underdeveloped evidence base.