Clinicians fear pediatric advance care planning (pACP) for adolescents is too distressing for families. Multisite longitudinal randomized controlled trial of adolescents with HIV tested the effect of FAmily-CEntered (FACE®) pACP intervention on families’ anxiety and depression. One hundred five adolescent/family dyads were randomized to FACE® ( n = 54 dyads) or control ( n = 51 dyads). Families were 90% African American, 37% HIV-positive, and 22% less than high school educated. Families reported lower anxiety 3 months post-FACE® intervention than control (β = −4.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−8.20, −1.23], p = .008). Male family members were less anxious than female family members (β = −4.55, 95% CI = [−6.96, −2.138], p ≤ .001). Family members living with HIV reported greater depressive symptoms than HIV-uninfected families (β = 3.32, 95% CI = [0.254, 6.38], p = .034). Clinicians can be assured this structured, facilitated FACE® pACP model minimized family anxiety without increasing depressive symptoms. Adolescent/family dyads should be invited to have access to, and provision of, evidence-based pACP as part of patient-centered/family-supported care in the HIV continuum of care.
FAmily-CEntered (FACE) Advance Care Planning Among African-American and Non-African-American Adults Living With HIV in Washington, DC: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Documentation and Health Equity
