- Page navigation anchor for Education for advanced care planning respecting cultural and social sensitivityEducation for advanced care planning respecting cultural and social sensitivity
I have read, with great respect, the research titled “Advance care planning engagement in patients with chronic, life-limiting illness: baseline findings from a cluster-randomised controlled trial in primary care.”1 This research clarified what GPs should emphasize for effective improvement of patients engagement in advanced care planning (ACP). The critical factor is discussing with patients about their future health, such as controlling their symptoms in palliative status. As GPs need active listening skills to facilitate ACP, communication training specific to ACP should be established and investigated regarding the effectiveness.
Furthermore, ACP education should be nuanced, respecting cultural and social backgrounds. In Asian contexts, ACP among older patients may depend on physicians’ perspectives and not be motivated to decide where to live in terminal conditions.2 There may be the social norm that all of the physicians’ decisions are reliable because of already established paternalism among older generations. Another factor affecting ACP among older people is caregiver issues. In Japan, caregivers’ burden is critical because fewer people are dedicated to caregiving, and more people work outside their houses, causing the lack of a caregiving workforce.3 The practical education of ACP to general practitioners and patients should include more about social and cultural issues in addition to communic...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.