Options
Facilitators and barriers to advance care planning programmes targeting older care home residents: A qualitative study
Date Issued
2019
ISSN
2958-9428
1819-1576
Citation
Asian Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Dec. 2019, vol. 14(2), pp. 81-88.
Type
Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Abstract
Background.
Advance care planning (ACP) is considered to be an
integral part of end-of-life care. This study explored the facilitators and
barriers of ACP by consolidating the practice experiences of a group of
healthcare professionals involved in an outreach end-of-life programme
for older people living residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs).
Methods:
Fourteen healthcare professionals participated in this
qualitative study. They first completed a questionnaire to capture their
views on ACP by describing a successful case. Then they took part in
a focus group to discuss desired outcomes, facilitators, and barriers
of ACP. Thematic analysis was applied to the questionnaire and focus
group data.
Results:
Participants considered ACP a valuable opportunity for
older people to express their care preferences. The resultant care plan
provides families and care teams a useful reference for treatment
decision-making. Facilitators included the collaborative ties among the
community geriatric assessment team, RCHE staff, and the families
of patients; dedicated and trained staff; and well-informed family
members. Barriers included delayed referral, a lack of public acceptance
and awareness, and overwhelming routines among healthcare
professionals.
Conclusions:
Our findings underscore the multitude of individual,
family, staff, and social factors affecting the dynamic process of ACP.
An effective collaborative framework and professional training in
communicating with distressed families are required. In addition,
enhancing public awareness of comfort care and ACP is crucial.
Loading...
Availability at HKSYU Library
