Friday, 20 May 2016

Advance care planning in motor neuron disease: A qualitative study of caregiver perspectives

Palliative Medicine, May 2016, vol. 30, no. 5, p. 471-478
Murray, Leigh, Butow, Phyllis N, White, Kate, Kiernan, Matthew C, D'Abrew, Natalie, Herz, Helen

This study aimed to explore the acceptability and impact of advance care planning from the point of view of caregivers.  Many of those who took part thought that the ACP document helped, or would help, in terms of patient autonomy, facilitating difficult decision-making and improving communication within families. The authors noted that the timing and manner of its introduction required sensitivity to avoid potential harms in approaching the subject too soon.

Available in print in Arthur Rank Hospice Library, Brookfields Hospital