Definition and recommendations of advance care planning

A Delphi study in five Asian sectors

Journal Article (2024)
Author(s)

Masanori Mori (Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital)

Helen Y.L. Chan (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Cheng-Pei Lin (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, King’s College London)

Sun-Hyun Kim (Catholic Kwandong University)

Raymond Ng Han Lip (Woodlands Health)

Diah Martina (Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Erasmus MC, Universitas Indonesia)

Kwok Keung Yuen (Queen Mary Hospital Hong Kong)

Shao-Yi Cheng (National Taiwan University)

Judith A.C. Rietjens (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering, Erasmus MC)

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Research Group
DesIgning Value in Ecosystems
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163241284088 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Research Group
DesIgning Value in Ecosystems
Issue number
1
Volume number
39 (2025)
Pages (from-to)
99-112
Downloads counter
333
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Abstract

Background:
In Confucian-influenced Asian societies, explicit end-of-life conversations are uncommon and family involvement in decision-making is crucial, which complicates the adoption of culturally sensitive advance care planning.

Aim:
To develop a consensus definition of advance care planning and provide recommendations for patient-centered and family-based initiatives in Asia.

Design:
A five-round Delphi study was performed. The rating of a definition and 84 recommendations developed based on systematic reviews was performed by experts with clinical or research expertise using a 7-point Likert scale. A median = 1 and an inter-quartile range = 0–1 were considered very strong agreement and very strong consensus, respectively.

Setting/participants:
The Delphi study was carried out by multidisciplinary experts on advance care planning in five Asian sectors (Hong Kong/Japan/Korea/Singapore/Taiwan).

Results:
Seventy-seven of 115 (67%) experts rated the statements. Advance care planning is defined as “a process that enables individuals to identify their values, to define goals and preferences for future medical treatment and care, to discuss these values, goals, and preferences with family and/or other closely related persons, and health-care providers, and to record and review these preferences if appropriate.” Recommendations in the domains of considerations for a person-centered and family-based approach, as well as elements, roles and tasks, timing for initiative, policy and regulation, and evaluations received high levels of agreement and consensus.

Conclusions:
Our definition and recommendations can guide practice, education, research, and policy-making in advance care planning for Asian populations. Our findings will aid future research in crafting culturally sensitive advance care planning interventions, ensuring Asians receive value-aligned care.