The evolution of Austin health's 'Statement of Choices'. Issue 1 (1st June 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackson, L; Detering, K; Silvester, W; Hancock, A
• Is Part Of: BMJ supportive & palliative care. Volume 1:Issue 1(2011)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2011-06-01
• Subjects: Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2011-000053.78
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-435X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The Respecting Patient Choices team has been doing advance care planning since 2002. We encourage people to nominate a substitute decision maker (SDM) and document their health care wishes on a 'Statement of Choices' (SOC). This document has evolved and now includes four components to ensure that the written plans are understood and appropriately acted upon by doctors. They are: to record a person's wishes about future medical treatment based on their goals, values and beliefs. to record this information in a language that doctors would recognise and could act upon. be easy to fill in. to provide prompts for people facilitating the ACP conversation. Aim: To evaluate the evolution of the SOC. Methods: A retrospective audit of SOC completed in 2010. Results: Most people (70%) choose to nominate a SDM and complete a SOC. People generally nominate a family member as their SDM and the majority (>90%) indicate on their SOC that they 'would not want CPR even if the doctors think it could be beneficial' and 'do not want life prolonging treatment (LPT) at all'. 25% provided guidance on what would be an 'acceptable outcome'. The SOC is recognised by the doctors and is acted upon. Conclusions: ▶ Austin Health has devised a SOC form that enables people to record their medical treatment preferences especially in relation to CPR and LPT. ▶ The SOC is being further evolved for specific chronic conditions (eg, dialysis).