Advanced Care Planning

WHAT?

Advanced Care Planning is the process of planning for future healthcare options through a series of conversations with the patient's family and healthcare team. In an ACP discussion, patients are guided to reflect upon, discuss and indicate their preferences, values, and beliefs regarding future healthcare treatments.

This should not be confused with Advance Medical Directive (AMD)/ Do Not Resuscitate Order- a legal document signed in advance to inform the doctor (if we become terminally ill and unconscious) that we do not want any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be used to prolong life. Extraordinary life-sustaining treatment is any medical treatment which serves only to prolong the process of dying for terminally ill patients but does not cure the illness.

ACP is also not Euthanasia- the latter is the practice of actively terminating life and is illegal in Malaysia.

WHO/WHEN?

For any patient when they are ready. It may be initiated by the patients themselves, or their loved ones, or their healthcare team.

A Substitute Decision Maker will be appointed to make decisions for the patient. This person should be someone trusted by the patient, who will listen carefully to the patient’s values and wishes for future care and will follow those wishes to the best of their ability.

WHY?

A documented care preferences can ease the burden of decision making on the patient’s family. The document will guide the family and clinical team in making care and treatment decisions in the best interest of the patient, especially when he can no longer speak for himself.

This can be done at any stage of the illness, even at diagnosis, in conjunction with other treatments that are being conducted to prolong life, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

WHERE/ HOW?

4 Simple Steps:
a. Think- What is most important to you towards the end of life?
b. Discuss- Get your loved ones involved so that they will understand your preferences and wishes.
c. Document- Record your decisions and share a copy with your loved ones.
d. Review- Update your plan if preferences change. Remember to inform your loved ones so that they are aware of the changes.

Find out more at: :

Hospice Malaysia
Email: info@hospismalaysia.org
Tel: 603-9133 3936