A Community-based Advance Care Planning Programme for Patients With Advanced Disease

A Community-based Advance Care Planning Programme to Improve End-of-life Care in Patients With Advanced Disease: A Mixed-method Approach

Advance care planning has been recommended as an integral part of care for patients with life-limiting disease, but relevant development in Hong Kong is still in its infancy. This proposed study attempts to address this service gap by promoting advance care planning to patients with advanced disease. It is hypothesized that the proportion of patients whose end-of-life care preferences were known in the experimental group will be significantly higher than that in the control group.

This study aims to evaluate the impacts of a community-based advance care planning programme on end-of-life care of patients with advanced disease. A mixed-method approach, including a randomized controlled trial and qualitative interviews, will be used. Participants in the experimental group will received a structured advance care planning programme delivered by a trained facilitator. It includes an educational component, reflection and a family meeting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 18 or above
• meet one of the three triggers for supportive /palliative care as suggested in the Gold Standards Framework
• living at home
• being communicable

Exclusion Criteria:

• mentally incompetent
• cannot nominate a family carer
• have already signed an advance directive
• have been referred to palliative care service