Advance Care Planning

Course details

Caring for people towards the end of life is an important part of a doctors’ role. Unfortunately there is a significant body of evidence showing that people often receive end-of-life care that is inconsistent with their preferences and does not meet their needs.

Every patient's needs are unique and working through the emotional and social stresses faced by a dying person and their family can be difficult. This course is designed to give you a better understanding of your role and that of other members of the multidisciplinary team. It will help you develop skills and confidence in formulating an advance care plan, and will benefit patients by promoting greater choice, control and communication of care preferences across the team, across agencies and across care settings.

This educational programme was developed for RCPI by a team of palliative care experts led by Dr Karen Ryan, Clinical Lead of the National Clinical Programme for Palliative Care, and Dr Regina McQuillan Consultant in Palliative Medicine St Francis Hospice. It is funded by the HSE Medical Education and Training Unit.

Advance Care Planning is a process of reflection and discussion about goals, values and preferences for future treatment in the context of an anticipated deterioration in a patient’s condition with loss of capacity to make decisions and communicate these to others. While there is currently no specific legislation pertaining to advance healthcare directives in Ireland, the Department of Health intends to include legislative provisions for advance healthcare directives in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill.