Educate staff about the ACP

Why This Topic Matters

ACP depends on staff understanding of the document types patients may have and the role those documents play in documenting preferences. Better awareness can improve documentation readiness, support more consistent ACP conversations, and reduce confusion about when related forms are relevant.

Article Sections

1. Advance care planning barriers and documentation basics

   Introduces common practice barriers to ACP discussions and outlines the general role of advance directive documents in documenting patient wishes.

2. Educate providers about these ACP documents

   Summarizes the major ACP document categories discussed in the article and explains their broad place in clinical planning workflows.

3. Living will

   Covers one type of advance directive and the general situations in which it may be relevant.

4. Health care proxy

   Describes a document that names a decision-maker and notes practical considerations for who may serve in that role.

5. Durable power of attorney

   Reviews another form used to appoint a decision-making representative and notes that it may include more detailed parameters.

6. POLST or MOLST

   Explains the general purpose of medical orders used in serious illness planning and notes that terminology and applicability vary by state.