| Abstract |
The report is a comprehensive, patient-centered, educational workbook designed to facilitate advance care planning, that was developed as a project funded by the Health Services Research and Development Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The process involved 11 focus groups of 57 individuals who evaluated specific sections and provided feedback and minor recommendations that were implemented. Physicians from 7 specialties, religious leaders of different faiths, and 20 adults from diverse backgrounds (age 55+, with chronic health conditions) comprised the reviewers. The information contained in the workbook will enhance communication between patients, their proxy decision-makers, and health care providers about advance care planning, and will facilitate meaningful documentation of patients' wishes. This will have an impact on simplifying surrogate decision-making for patients who become decisionally incapacitated, reducing the burden on all parties, including health care staff, and may contribute to cost savings in end-of-life care. |
