TY - JOUR
T1 - Impacts of an advance care planning intervention on close relationships
AU - Bulli, Francesco
AU - Toccafondi, Alessandro
AU - Kars, Marijke C
AU - Caswell, Glenys
AU - Kodba-Čeh, Hana
AU - Lunder, Urska
AU - Pollock, Kristian
AU - Seymour, Jane
AU - van Delden, Johannes J M
AU - Zwakman, Marieke
AU - Korfage, Ida J
AU - Van der Heide, Agnes
AU - Miccinesi, Guido
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2023.
PY - 2024/10/1
Y1 - 2024/10/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: To examine how an advance care planning (ACP) intervention based on structured conversations impacts the relationship between patients with advanced cancer and their nominated Personal Representatives (PRs).METHODS: Within the ACTION research project, a qualitative study was carried out in 4 countries (Italy, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Slovenia) to explore the lived experience of engagement with the ACTION Respecting Choices
® ACP intervention from the perspectives of patients and their PRs. A phenomenological approach was undertaken.
RESULTS: Our findings show that taking part in the ACTION ACP intervention provides a communicative space for patients and their PRs to share their understanding and concerns about the illness and its consequences. In some cases, this may strengthen relationships by
realigning patients' and PRs' understanding and expectations and affirming their mutual commitment and support.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The most significant consequence of the ACP process in our study was the deepening of mutual understanding and relationship between some patients and PRs and the enhancement of their sense of mutuality and connectedness in the present. However, being a relational intervention, ACP may raise some challenging and distressing issues. The interpersonal dynamics of the discussion require skilled and careful professional facilitation.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To examine how an advance care planning (ACP) intervention based on structured conversations impacts the relationship between patients with advanced cancer and their nominated Personal Representatives (PRs).METHODS: Within the ACTION research project, a qualitative study was carried out in 4 countries (Italy, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Slovenia) to explore the lived experience of engagement with the ACTION Respecting Choices
® ACP intervention from the perspectives of patients and their PRs. A phenomenological approach was undertaken.
RESULTS: Our findings show that taking part in the ACTION ACP intervention provides a communicative space for patients and their PRs to share their understanding and concerns about the illness and its consequences. In some cases, this may strengthen relationships by
realigning patients' and PRs' understanding and expectations and affirming their mutual commitment and support.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The most significant consequence of the ACP process in our study was the deepening of mutual understanding and relationship between some patients and PRs and the enhancement of their sense of mutuality and connectedness in the present. However, being a relational intervention, ACP may raise some challenging and distressing issues. The interpersonal dynamics of the discussion require skilled and careful professional facilitation.
KW - Advance care planning
KW - Cancer
KW - End-of-life care
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Relationship
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85161824576&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1478951523000482
DO - 10.1017/S1478951523000482
M3 - Article
C2 - 37249086
SN - 1478-9515
VL - 22
SP - 1042
EP - 1047
JO - Palliative & Supportive Care
JF - Palliative & Supportive Care
IS - 5
ER -