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Advance Care Planning for Professionals

This page provides useful tips to health and social care professionals about advance care planning. It will support you to have meaningful conversations that will tell us what matters most to people.

An advance care planning discussion with a person includes:

  • The person and/or family’s understanding of their illness/medical condition
  • The person and/or family’s concerns or worries about any aspect of end-of-life
  • The person’s values, beliefs, wishes, preferences and/or personal goals for care
  • The person’s preferences for types of care/treatment that might be beneficial in the future

Person-centred care means taking the time to find out what the person wants to know. It also means finding out what their wishes and preferences are regarding their end-of-life care.

Advance Care Planning should ideally happen before the person is admitted to hospital or a nursing home. However all too often, they do not.

Health and social care workers play an especially important role as Advance Care Planning is a key part of person-centred care.

These discussions are probably even more important in the following circumstances:

  • When it is clear the person has a life-limiting illness
  • When the person indicates wanting a conversation: “I’m not getting any better, am I?”
  • When you can answer ‘yes’ to the following question – “would you be surprised if this person was alive in 12 months’ time?”
  • If the person/family have expectations which are inconsistent with clinical judgment. For example, the person thinks that they will able to live independently again
  • When there has been a deterioration in the person’s condition.
  • When a treatment decision needs to be made
  • If illness-specific treatment is not working.
  • At the time of referring the person to specialist palliative care services

Having a conversation

The following are examples of conversations and prompts. It is important to highlight that these conversations may also occur naturally in the day-to-day provision of care. Itʼs important to be prepared for both scenarios.

  • Start the conversation by finding out the level of understanding of the person’s illness and prognosis. This helps to establish a common ground. If the person doesn’t seem to know, it may be worth summarising what has happened.

“What is your understanding of where you are with your health?”

  • Always give the person the option not to discuss these topics or to defer the discussion to another time.

“I am very happy to talk to you about any concerns or questions you have about this now or later. Is there anything you would like to ask me about now?”

  • Do not make assumptions about the person’s information needs. Clarify what they want to know and the level of detail they’d like before giving new information.

“Often people with conditions like yours have a lot of questions that are sometimes frightening. Sometimes people aren’t certain if they want to know the answer. If there’s anything you’d like to know, feel free to ask me and I’ll answer as best I can.”

  • Explore the person’s concerns, expectations and fears about the future.

“What is your biggest concern at the moment?”
“What are your worries for the future?”

  • Encourage the person to ask questions and express their wishes.

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”
“Have you ever thought about where you would like to be cared for in the future?”
“What are your hopes and priorities?”
“What are you willing to sacrifice or not sacrifice?”
“What does a good day look like?”

  • Offer to support family or friends (if the person consents).

“Would you like me to tell…what we’ve discussed?”

  • Consider joint as well as separate discussions with the person and their family, once the person has consented. This can help to explore and address different information needs.
    People can often feel abandoned. It is important to reassure them that you/someone will be there for them throughout their illness. If this is not possible, it is vital that alternative arrangements are made clear.

“We will do what we can to manage your symptoms and link you in with the services that will support you and your family. You will not be alone in this.”

  • It is important to enable the person to feel in control. Help them to identify where control can be fostered, e.g. speaking with family/friends.

“People vary in how they want to make decisions. Some people want to do this alone; others want to share decision making with their family or doctor. What would you like?”

Following a conversation make sure you write down what has been discussed and record it on a person’s file.

Questions in the text adapted from Atul Gawande(2014), Being Mortal:Medicine and What Matters in the End

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Please help Irish Hospice Foundation to continue to support those facing end of life at this unprecedented time of need. Text IHF to 50300 to donate €4. Text costs €4. Irish Hospice Foundation will receive a minimum of €3.60.
Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278

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