Advance Care Planning: Advance Directives

Course overview

Healthcare professionals have an important role in opening discussions with patients and their family members regarding advance care planning. Despite intensive efforts, most Americans do not have an advance directive and may face a life-threatening illness without a plan to guide their healthcare providers or relatives. End-of-life care experts stress the need for major changes in the approach to promoting advance care planning, including a focus on promoting ongoing dialogue between patients and healthcare providers. As patient advocates, clinicians are in a strong position to work with patients and other healthcare professionals to make these important changes occur.