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Advance Care Planning in terminally ill and frail older persons
- Source :
-
Patient Education & Counseling . Mar2013, Vol. 90 Issue 3, p323-329. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Objective: Advance Care Planning (ACP) – the communication process by which patients establish goals and preferences for future care – is encouraged to improve the quality of end-of-life care. Gaining insight into the views of elderly on ACP was the aim of this study, as most studies concern younger patients. Methods: We conducted and analysed 38 semi-structured interviews in elderly patients with limited prognosis. Results: The majority of participants were willing to talk about dying. In some elderly, however, non-acceptance of their nearing death made ACP conversations impossible. Most of the participants wanted to plan those issues of end-of-life care related to personal experiences and fears. They were less interested in planning other end-of-life situations being outside of their power of imagination. Other factors determining if patients proceed to ACP were trust in family and/or physician and the need for control. Conclusions: ACP is considered important by most elderly. However, there is a risk of pseudo-participation in case of non-acceptance of the nearing death or planning end-of-life situations outside the patient''s power of imagination. This may result in end-of-life decisions not reflecting the patient''s true wishes. Practice implications: Before engaging in ACP conversations, physicians should explore if the patient accepts dying as a likely outcome. Also the experiences and fears concerning death and dying, trust and the need for control should be assessed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07383991
- Volume :
- 90
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Patient Education & Counseling
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 85396369
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2011.07.008