Educate Your Patients on ACP
by Katila Farley, RN CMOM
As we continue the conversation around Advance Care Planning - it is important to educate your patients on the importance of these conversations.
Think through all aspects of your clinic and opportunities to educate and inform patients about Advance Care Planning.
Let’s walk through a few educational opportunities:
Phones: Do you have an automated phone system? A way to communicate with patients while they are holding is a great way to share snippets letting them know during an annual wellness visit to plan on reviewing their support system.
Portals: Do you have a patient portal? List the LIVING WILL in the forms section makes it easier for patients to print and bring back to their next visit.
Reminder Messages: Do you have a way to remind patients to bring a copy of their living will if it has never been completed or has changed?
Additionally it’s important to guide your patients on how to talk to their loved ones about their wishes. According to The Conversation Project’s 2018 National Survey, 92% of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important. But, 21% of people say they haven’t had the conversation because they don’t want to upset their loved ones. No doubt, this isn’t an easy conversation, but it is perhaps one of the most meaningful ones your patients may have with their family.
So we’ve put together a few thoughtful suggestions on how to approach the conversation with your patients and help coach them:
1. Teach Empathy
Suggested conversation starter:
As you begin the discussion with your family, put yourself in their shoes. Just as you don’t want to think about end-of-life, your loved ones don’t want to think about losing you either. So, have patience with them.
2. How to talk to their chosen agent
Suggested conversation starter:
Once you’ve picked someone you trust, and who knows you well, talk to them openly about why you’ve chosen them as your healthcare proxy. To make sure they are comfortable in this role, be very clear and honest about your wishes and find out if they will support those wishes, even if they differ from their own.
3. How to share their wishes with the rest of the family
Suggested conversation starter:
Be open about ALL your wishes and let your loved ones know where you are coming from. Allow the conversation to flow naturally and answer questions honestly. It’s often helpful to approach the talk in a collaborative manner rather than dictating your decisions. This allows everyone to feel respected and heard. They may have input that you haven’t even considered, although the ultimate decisions are yours.
4. Remind them that this isn’t just one conversation
Suggested conversation starter:
Don’t feel like you have to cover everything at once. Think of this as the first of many conversations; ideally you should be able to have an ongoing, open dialogue with your loved ones as health needs evolve and/or circumstances change. What’s more, this can be a lot to digest! Some of your family members may need time to process and think in order for the discussion to be more productive.
