wIPADS
Advance Care Planning
Ask if the patient wishes to discuss Advance care Planning
Introduce the subject of Advance Care Planning with the patient and/or family
It is important to tailor the way Advance Care Planning is raised with the patient and/or family to suit the patient's specific case.
You should check if the patient has already made his/her wishes known in any form.
The Communication Skills guide to starting ACP may be helpful.
A variety of written information is available for patients who wish to read more, and for those who wish to take it away and prepare their own advance care plan document.
Remember that Advance Care Planning will mean different things to different patients:
- recording a preference not to receive certain treatment
- making a will
- appointing a Lasting Power of Attorney
- recording a preference about staying a home
- an emergency treatment plan e.g. for seizures
Few patients will want everything.
If the patient does not wish to continue, their wishes should be respected; record a note to that effect in the medical records. Consider exploring the subject again at a later date, when the patient's condition worsens.
Resources
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Communication skills guide to starting ACP
Professional guideline. Authors: Palliative Care ACP Working Group
ADVANCE CARE PLANNING GENERAL - Info for Patients
- ACP Introduction
Patient Info leaflet. Authors: Palliative Care ACP Working Group - "Planning for your future care"
Patient Info leaflet. Authors: NHS End of Life Care Programme - "Planning your Future Care Together" - Introduction
Patient Info leaflet. Authors: Hywel Dda ACP working group - "Planning your Future Care Together" - More Information & Advice
Patient Info leaflet. Authors: Hywel Dda ACP working group - Advance decisions, advance statements and living wills -factsheet
Patient Info leaflet. Authors: Age UK