Importance Of Advance Care Planning

People with life-limiting illness may prefer a variety of needs, and access to those needs is significant especially in promoting their quality of life. These needs may include comfort, cultural and spiritual as reflected on Dorothy’s desires. However, ethical issues arise when a person decided to withdraw life-long treatment and at the same time, respecting an individual’s values and wishes and what it means by quality of life to the person. Therefore advance care planning is vital.

An individualised care plan is beneficial in planning for end of life care that is according to patient’s best interests. The best interest should be assessed in recognising the importance of person’s preferences, values and beliefs and, as a consequence, underpins

the recording of those preferences through advance care planning. Withdrawal of life-long treatment may be permissible in accordance with person’s best interest. Therefore timely discussion and planning, the patient’s preferences and values will be prioritised in decision-making process during the time that the patient incapable to make her own decision. Dorothy’s decision to discontinue life-long treatment can be affected by few factors such as being unwell or unable to cope and it is important to recognise this as a health care professional. At first, health literacy is vital as Dorothy may not know the importance of knowing her chronic condition and how the life-long treatment can provide comfort measures and quality of life. That if quality of life to her is alleviating symptoms cause by her life-limiting illness or returning to her own country. The palliative nurse could ask what quality of life means to her and clarify Dorothy’s wishes by what it means by palliative treatment such as haemodialysis and how could alleviate her symptoms. Health professionals should consider patients’ journey with their illness as every journey is diverse.