The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the significant vulnerabilities within our healthcare systems and populations, underscoring the urgent need for proactive and patient-centered approaches to medical care. In these challenging times, advance care planning (ACP) has become more critical than ever, especially within hospital environments, to ensure patients’ values and preferences are honored during serious illness. To address this pressing need, an evidence-based communication framework, known as the Serious Illness Conversation Guide, has been thoughtfully adapted as an invaluable Advance Care Planning Tool For Hospitals.
Recognizing the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, particularly in hospital settings where critical illness is frequently encountered, a user-centered design process was employed to refine the Serious Illness Conversation Guide. This adaptation involved a multi-stage approach, beginning with the collaboration of experts from diverse fields to propose initial modifications to the guide. These proposed changes were then rigorously reviewed and enhanced through feedback from key clinical stakeholders representing various disciplines and geographical locations. Furthermore, the adapted language was iteratively tested with patient actors to ensure clarity, sensitivity, and effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
A primary focus of the feedback was on facilitating crucial conversations about COVID-19-related risks, guiding treatment decisions in light of these risks, and ensuring the use of person-centered language throughout the ACP process. This comprehensive approach led to the development of tailored conversation guides specifically designed for both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings. These advance care planning tools for hospitals are structured around open-ended questions carefully crafted to elicit patients’ perceptions of risk, their personal goals for care, and their preferences should they face critical illness. Moreover, the tools incorporate language that effectively conveys the inherent uncertainties often associated with medical prognoses, empowering patients to make informed decisions even in complex situations.
To facilitate the seamless integration of these advance care planning tools for hospitals into clinical practice, a range of publicly accessible implementation materials have been developed. These resources are designed to equip clinicians with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage high-risk patients in ACP discussions and to overcome common communication barriers, especially within the demanding hospital environment. The support materials include video demonstrations illustrating best practices in ACP conversations, practical tips for conducting these sensitive discussions via telehealth, and step-by-step guidance on identifying patients who would benefit most from ACP and accurately documenting conversation findings within electronic health records.
In conclusion, well-designed communication tools, such as the adapted Serious Illness Conversation Guide, coupled with robust implementation strategies, represent a vital step forward in empowering clinicians within hospitals to connect deeply with their patients and foster genuine shared decision-making. While not a panacea for all the complexities of healthcare crises, the use of high-quality advance care planning tools for hospitals offers a powerful means to mitigate suffering and ensure that patient-centered care remains at the heart of medical practice, particularly when facing unprecedented health challenges.
