The interRAI Palliative Care Clinical Assessment Protocols (CAPs) are written to help the assessor devise strategies to address the distress and potential of persons with complex clinical problems. They help the assessor identify persons who may benefit from the provision of additional support resources. These CAPs are not intended to automate all aspects of care planning. Such activity must be carried out with the input of an appropriately trained clinician.

It should also be emphasized that the instrument and its associated CAPs were designed for the subgroup of individuals seeking palliative care who are near the end of life and those with a somewhat longer prognosis. Neither the instrument tool nor the CAPs were written to address the needs of other persons seeking palliative care, for example those with severe back pain.

These CAPs may not address every symptom and need an individual might have who is being assessed. However they are written to assist the assessor with interpreting some of the most common conditions, such as pain, seen in persons seeking palliative care whether that person is in hospice care or another setting.