Table 2 The expert meeting’s topics of discussion with a short description of their hypothetical cases

1. Initial contact with a patient

Patient X has now received teleconsultation equipment. He is, so far, unknown to the palliative care team. How should a care trajectory with this patient start? Face to face in real life or on a screen?

Referring to RQ1, 2

2. Taking care of a patient in need

Patient Y has been in the research project for a few weeks now. Her condition is rapidly deteriorating. During a teleconsultation, the nurse practitioner of the palliative care team is confronted with an urgent situation. What should she do? Should patients be able to initiate contact with the palliative care team via teleconsultation?

RQ2

3. Interacting with physicians and patients

The family physician, who is the primarily responsible caregiver, decides to ignore the advice of the palliative care team. He pursues his own treatment plan with the patient. This becomes clear to the palliative care team during the next teleconsultation. How should the team react? What if the family physician and the palliative care team insist on different treatment policies?

RQ2

4. Being responsive to the impending death of a patient

Patient Z is about to die. The palliative care team has had intensive contact with her and her family via teleconsultations during the past 3 months. How should they close this care trajectory?

RQ1, 2