Abstract: Argues that anticipatory prescribing and an interdisciplinary workforce could transform primary palliative care. Aims to identify the factors influencing such prescribing in palliative and end-of-life community care. Conducts a meta-synthesis of 7 primary research studies using a critical realist framework. Identifies expertise, teamwork and prioritisation as the factors influencing anitcipatory prescribing in end-of-life care.