Zwakman M, Jabbarian LJ, van Delden JJM, van der Heide A, Korfage IJ, Pollock K, Rietjens JAC, Seymour J, Kars MC. Advance care planning: A systematic review about experiences of patients with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness.
Palliat Med 2018;
32:1305-1321. [PMID:
29956558 PMCID:
PMC6088519 DOI:
10.1177/0269216318784474]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Advance care planning is seen as an important strategy to improve end-of-life communication and the quality of life of patients and their relatives. However, the frequency of advance care planning conversations in practice remains low. In-depth understanding of patients' experiences with advance care planning might provide clues to optimise its value to patients and improve implementation.
AIM
To synthesise and describe the research findings on the experiences with advance care planning of patients with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness.
DESIGN
A systematic literature review, using an iterative search strategy. A thematic synthesis was conducted and was supported by NVivo 11.
DATA SOURCES
The search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL on 7 November 2016.
RESULTS
Of the 3555 articles found, 20 were included. We identified three themes in patients' experiences with advance care planning. 'Ambivalence' refers to patients simultaneously experiencing benefits from advance care planning as well as unpleasant feelings. 'Readiness' for advance care planning is a necessary prerequisite for taking up its benefits but can also be promoted by the process of advance care planning itself. 'Openness' refers to patients' need to feel comfortable in being open about their preferences for future care towards relevant others.
CONCLUSION
Although participation in advance care planning can be accompanied by unpleasant feelings, many patients reported benefits of advance care planning as well. This suggests a need for advance care planning to be personalised in a form which is both feasible and relevant at moments suitable for the individual patient.
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