Marcus Sellars1, William Silvester1, Malcolm Masso2, Claire E Johnson3. 1. Respecting Patient Choices Program, Austin Hospital, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia. Email. 2. Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration, Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, iC Enterprise 1, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Email. 3. Cancer and Palliative Care Research and Evaluation Unit, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, M507, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Email.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the attitudes, knowledge and practices regarding advance care planning (ACP) in palliative care. METHODS: A nationwide online survey was distributed to Australian palliative care services associated with the Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (n=105). Seventy-three health professionals (HPs) and 59 service managers completed the survey. RESULTS: Regarding ACP, 51% of service managers reported relevant policies and procedures were in place in their service and 44% included ACP in job descriptions. Most HPs were confident in undertaking ACP, including initiating discussions with patients and complying with documents; however, only 44% reported receiving ACP specific training. Although 58% of HPs reported having conversations about ACP with more than 11 patients in the past 6 months, only 44% of managers report that it is offered to most patients. Thirty per cent of HPs were aware of others not adhering to patient wishes in the past 6 months and only 43% of HPs (and 37% of managers) believed ACP is done well within their service. CONCLUSIONS: This first national survey examining ACP in palliative care services demonstrates there is a need to improve systems to support ACP and to understand circumstances in which ACP wishes are not followed.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the attitudes, knowledge and practices regarding advance care planning (ACP) in palliative care. METHODS: A nationwide online survey was distributed to Australian palliative care services associated with the Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (n=105). Seventy-three health professionals (HPs) and 59 service managers completed the survey. RESULTS: Regarding ACP, 51% of service managers reported relevant policies and procedures were in place in their service and 44% included ACP in job descriptions. Most HPs were confident in undertaking ACP, including initiating discussions with patients and complying with documents; however, only 44% reported receiving ACP specific training. Although 58% of HPs reported having conversations about ACP with more than 11 patients in the past 6 months, only 44% of managers report that it is offered to most patients. Thirty per cent of HPs were aware of others not adhering to patient wishes in the past 6 months and only 43% of HPs (and 37% of managers) believed ACP is done well within their service. CONCLUSIONS: This first national survey examining ACP in palliative care services demonstrates there is a need to improve systems to support ACP and to understand circumstances in which ACP wishes are not followed.
Authors: Kelly Arnett; Rebecca L Sudore; David Nowels; Cindy X Feng; Cari R Levy; Hillary D Lum Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care Date: 2016-09-06 Impact factor: 2.500
Authors: Tiffany M Statler; Fang-Chi Hsu; Laura Silla; Kristin N Sheehan; Amy Cowles; Justin K Brooten; Rebecca L Omlor; Jennifer Gabbard Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care Date: 2022-08-26 Impact factor: 2.090