scholarly journals Feasibility and acceptability of introducing advance care planning on a thoracic medicine inpatient ward: an exploratory mixed method study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000485
Author(s):  
Nina Elisabeth Hjorth ◽  
Margrethe Aase Schaufel ◽  
Katrin Ruth Sigurdardottir ◽  
Dagny R Faksvåg Haugen
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Inpatient Ward ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Patient Values ◽  
Group Interviews

Background and aimsAdvance care planning (ACP) is communication about wishes and preferences for end-of-life care. ACP is not routinely used in any Norwegian hospitals. We performed a pilot study (2014–2017) introducing ACP on a thoracic medicine ward in Norway. The aims of this study were to explore which topics patients discussed during ACP conversations and to assess how patients, relatives and clinicians experienced the acceptability and feasibility of performing ACP.MethodsConversations were led by a study nurse or physician using a semistructured guide, encouraging patients to talk freely. Each conversation was summarised in a report in the patient’s medical record. At the end of the pilot period, clinicians discussed their experiences in focus group interviews. Reports and transcribed interviews were analysed using systematic text condensation.ResultsFifty-one patients participated in ACP conversations (41–86 years; 9 COPD, 41 lung cancer, 1 lung fibrosis; 11 women); 18 were accompanied by a relative. Four themes emerged: (1) disturbing symptoms, (2) existential topics, (3) care planning and (4) important relationships. All participants appreciated the conversations. Clinicians (1 physician and 7 nurses) participated in two focus group interviews. Reports from ACP conversations revealed patient values previously unknown to clinicians; important information was passed on to primary care. Fearing they would deprive patients of hope, clinicians acted as gatekeepers for recruitment. Although they reported barriers during recruitment, many clinicians saw ACP as pertinent and called for time and skills to integrate it into their daily clinical practice.ConclusionsPatients, relatives and clinicians showed a positive attitude towards ACP. Focusing on present and future symptom control may be an acceptable way to introduce ACP. Important aspects for implementing ACP in this patient group are management support, education, training, feasible routines and allocated time to perform the conversations.

Advance care planning for patients with COVID-19: a communication guide

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Natasha Palipane ◽  
Abi Ponnampalampillai ◽  
Srirupa Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Patient Choice ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Goals Of Care ◽  
Disease Trajectory ◽  
Improve Symptom ◽  
Inappropriate Admissions ◽  
Advance Care

In view of the high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19, early and honest conversations with patients about goals of care are vital. Advance care planning in its traditional manner may be difficult to achieve given the unpredictability of the disease trajectory. Despite this, it is crucial that patients' care wishes are explored as this will help prevent inappropriate admissions to hospital and to critical care, improve symptom control and advocate for patient choice. This article provides practical tips on how to translate decisions around treatment escalation plans into conversations, both face-to-face and over the phone, in a sensitive and compassionate manner. Care planning conversations for patients with COVID-19 should be individualised and actively involve the patient. Focusing on goals of care rather than ceilings of treatment can help to alleviate anxiety around these conversations and will remind patients that their care will never cease. Using a framework such as the ‘SPIKES’ mnemonic can help to structure this conversation. Verbally conveying empathy will be key, particularly when wearing personal protective equipment or speaking to relatives over the phone. It is also important to make time to recognise your own emotions during and/or after these conversations.

scholarly journals ‘It’s almost superstition: If I don’t think about it, it won’t happen’. Public knowledge and attitudes towards advance care planning: A sequential mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110158
Author(s):  
Sonja McIlfatrick ◽  
Paul Slater ◽  
Olufikayo Bamidele ◽  
Deborah Muldrew ◽  
Esther Beck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Advance Care

Background: Internationally, participation in advance care planning is low. Whilst a community action approach is advocated, what the public know and understand about advance care planning is unknown. Aim: To assess public awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards advance care planning and identify strategies to raise awareness within a public health framework. Design: Sequential mixed methods comprising a cross-sectional survey and focus group/interviews. Setting/participants: A random representative sample of adults from one region of the United Kingdom ( n = 1201; response rate 56%) completed a face-to-face survey. Twenty-five participants consented to an additional focus group/interview held in a secure accessible location or via telephone. Results: Most participants (78.7%) acknowledged the benefits of advance care planning conversations, however, two thirds did not want to think about advance care planning or find out more at present. Respondents were reluctant to broach advance care planning as it was linked to end of life care and funeral plans, and they did not wish to cause distress to their loved one. Respondents trusted their family to respect their wishes and they considered having an advance care plan in place would be of assistance in the future. Top-down leadership, normalisation, and increased education were identified as potential approaches to overcome barriers. Conclusions: Advance care planning was recognised as important despite limited awareness, lack of knowledge and misperceptions. Whilst a community action approach to enhance understanding and engagement was supported, a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not work; rather bespoke targeting is required with educational and media messaging aligned.

Is This ACP? A Focus Group Study of Patient Experiences of Advance Care Planning

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda J. Reich ◽  
Stephen Perez ◽  
Priscilla Gazarian ◽  
Noah D’Arcangelo ◽  
Kristina Gonzales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Patient Experiences ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Advance Care

scholarly journals Barriers to Advance Care Planning in Cancer, Heart Failure and Dementia Patients: A Focus Group Study on General Practitioners' Views and Experiences

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e84905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline De Vleminck ◽  
Koen Pardon ◽  
Kim Beernaert ◽  
Reginald Deschepper ◽  
Dirk Houttekier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Dementia Patients ◽  
Advance Care

scholarly journals Exploration of the acceptability and usability of advance care planning tools in long term care homes

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Sussman ◽  
Sharon Kaasalainen ◽  
Rennie Bimman ◽  
Harveer Punia ◽  
Nathaniel Edsell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
Frail Older Persons ◽  
Advance Care

Abstract Objectives Despite known benefits, advance care planning (ACP) is rarely a component of usual practice in long-term care (LTC). A series of tools and workbooks have been developed to support ACP uptake amongst the generable population. Yet, their potential for improving ACP uptake in LTC has yet to be examined. This study explored if available ACP tools are acceptable for use in LTC by (a) eliciting staff views on the content and format that would support ACP tool usability in LTC (b) examining if publicly available ACP tools include content identified as relevant by LTC home staff. Ultimately this study aimed to identify the potential for existing ACP tools to improve ACP engagement in LTC. Methods A combination of focus group deliberations with LTC home staff (N = 32) and content analysis of publicly available ACP tools (N = 32) were used to meet the study aims. Results Focus group deliberations suggested that publicly available ACP tools may be acceptable for use in LTC if the tools include psychosocial elements and paper-based versions exist. Content analysis of available paper-based tools revealed that only a handful of ACP tools (32/611, 5%) include psychosocial content, with most encouraging psychosocially-oriented reflections (30/32, 84%), and far fewer providing direction around other elements of ACP such as communicating psychosocial preferences (14/32, 44%) or transforming preferences into a documented plan (7/32, 22%). Conclusions ACP tools that include psychosocial content may improve ACP uptake in LTC because they elicit future care issues considered pertinent and can be supported by a range of clinical and non-clinical staff. To increase usability and engagement ACP tools may require infusion of scenarios pertinent to frail older persons, and a better balance between psychosocial content that elicits reflections and psychosocial content that supports communication.

Integrating POLST into Palliative Care Guidelines: A Paradigm Shift in Advance Care Planning in Oncology

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 819-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Bomba ◽  
Daniel Vermilyea
Keyword(s):  
Advance Directives ◽  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Patient Preferences ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Code Status ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Patient Values

Because predicting and outlining guidance for all possible scenarios is difficult, advance directives are rarely sufficiently precise to dictate patient preferences in specific situations as a disease progresses. Nonetheless, advance care planning is an essential process that should begin at the time of diagnosis, if not already initiated, to ensure that all patient and family rights are preserved. Communicating effectively with the patient and family and having the patient designate a surrogate decision-maker are critical. Attention must be paid to resolving conflicts among patient values and preferences and those of family and the health care team. Patient-centered goals for care and expectations should be elicited at first assessment and reassessed frequently as conditions change. As a disease progresses, advance directives are rarely precise enough to predict all possible scenarios and outline guidance for care. Therefore, for patients with advanced metastatic cancer and a potential life expectancy of less than 1 year, converting patient-centered treatment goals into actionable medical orders while the patient maintains capacity is a more effective way to ensure that patient preferences are honored. Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) and similar medical order forms provide explicit direction about resuscitation status (“code status”) if the patient is pulseless and apneic. POLST also includes directions about additional interventions the patient may or may not want. A decade of research in Oregon has proved that the POLST Paradigm Program more accurately conveys end-of-life preferences that are more likely to be followed by medical professionals than traditional advance directives alone.

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