The Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016: what is the role for allied health professionals?

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
Aidan Borthwick ◽  
Peter Higgs

Advance care planning is increasingly common practice in contemporary health care for individuals living with a chronic condition. Currently, limited research has been conducted into how newly adopted legislation in Victoria, Australia, facilitates advance care planning. The purpose of this study was to explore the uptake of the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 in the primary care setting. The study also aimed to explore barriers that allied health professionals encounter when practicing advance care planning with patients. Four interdisciplinary focus groups and two in-depth interviews with participants were conducted and thematically analysed using an interpretivist inquiry paradigm. Analysis revealed two key themes: promoting client wellbeing and scope of practice. The data suggest that advance care planning by allied health professionals in the primary care setting is limited. Focussing on enhancing clients’ wellbeing was more important than the development of advanced care directives. Attempting to promote the wellbeing of patients may foster hesitation to commence advance care planning in primary care. This study demonstrated that knowledge of the fundamental legislative changes are evident among allied health professionals which provides a foundation for successful development of advance care planning post implementation of the new Act.

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. A67.3-A68
Author(s):  
Iñaki Saralegui ◽  
A Delgado ◽  
M Salazar ◽  
A Arrieta ◽  
MT Gómez ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 082585972097393
Author(s):  
Linda Lee ◽  
Loretta M. Hillier ◽  
Stephanie K. Lu ◽  
Donna Ward

Background: Lack of tools to support advance care planning (ACP) has been identified as a significant barrier to implementing these discussions. Aim: We pilot tested an ACP framework tool for use with persons living with dementia (PLWD) in primary care-based memory clinics and an Adult Day Program; this study describes user and recipient experiences with this framework. Methods: We used a mixed methods approach. Health professionals completed an online survey following pilot testing and PLWD and substitute decision makers (SDM) completed survey immediately following the ACP discussion assessing their satisfaction (5-point scale) with the framework and exploring potential outcomes. Interviews with health professionals, PLWD, and SDM were conducted to gather more in-depth information on their perceptions of the ACP framework/ discussion. Results: Surveys were completed by 12 health professionals, 13 PLWD, and 16 SDM. While PLWD and SDM were satisfied with the ACP discussion (M = 4.0/5), health professionals were minimally satisfied with the ease of use of the framework (M = 2.0/5), acceptability for patients (M = 2.4/5) and feasibility in practice (M = 1.9/5). Sixteen interviews were completed with 8 health professionals, 1 PLWD, and 7 SDM. While health professionals valued ACP, lack of time and training were identified barriers to framework use. SDM felt better prepared for future decisions and PLWD were put at ease, knowing that their wishes for care were understood. Conclusion: PLWD and SDM value the opportunity for ACP, and although health professionals identified some concerns with framework administration, they acknowledge the value and importance of ACP. Continuing efforts to refine ACP processes are justified.


2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Sims ◽  
Theonie Tacticos ◽  
Maria Patiriadis ◽  
Lucio Naccarella

The General Practice Education, Support and Community Linkages Program was introduced to formally support implementation and appropriate use of the Enhanced Primary Care Medicare Benefits Schedule items. This paper reports upon the Program?s implementation from the allied health professional?s perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2002 with healthcare staff trained under the Program. While interviewees noted achievements in the items? uptake during the Program, allied health involvement in case conferencing and care planning had been impeded by GPs? limited adoption of the items. Allied health professionals were broadly interested in participating in care planning and case conferencing with GPs. The General Practice Education, Support and Community Linkages Program supported implementation and appropriate use of the Enhanced Primary Care Medicare Benefits Schedule items. While allied health professionals are generally interested in participating in care planning and case conferencing with GPs, such activity requires ongoing systems support and relationship building. Ample scope remains for awareness raising, relationship building and joint activities across the sector. Future item usage will need to be supported by resources and continued relationship building.


Author(s):  
Peter Nightingale ◽  
Scott Murray ◽  
Chris Absolon

Advance care planning (ACP) is becoming more widely used as part of a drive to improve personalized care planning, but there is still more work to be done. Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination systems (EPaCCs) have proved to be very effective in some areas but there are many barriers to be overcome before they are universally available. This chapter covers recent developments leading to the wider integration of ACP into primary care. These include policy initiatives, educational opportunities, information technology (IT), professional quality control and regulation, financial and business incentives, and the Compassionate Community movement. The chapter includes an overview of issues surrounding ACP in primary care and in the community.


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