bloomer-endoflife-2010.pdf (496.03 kB)
End of life care: the importance of advance care planning
journal contribution
posted on 2010-10-01, 00:00 authored by Melissa BloomerMelissa Bloomer, H Tan, S LeeBackground: Communication about end of life care may involve difficult conversations for patients, family members and health professionals. However, a lack of understanding of a person's wishes about their future care may result in a loss of dignity for the person, and additional distress for their family members and health professionals and burden to the healthcare system. Objective: This article discusses the barriers to advance care planning and provides some guidance for the general practitioner in undertaking advance care planning with patients and their families. Tips for initiating end of life discussions with patients and families utilising the 'PREPARED' acronym, and ensuring appropriate care delivery are included. Discussion: Involving patients and their family members in advance care planning may be challenging and time consuming for GPs. However, there are a number of resources to support this activity in relation to training, communication support and Medicare item funding.
History
Journal
Australian family physicianVolume
39Issue
10Pagination
734 - 737Publisher
Australian College of General PractitionersLocation
Sydney, N.S.W.ISSN
0300-8495Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2010, Australian College of General PractitionersUsage metrics
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