A scoping review of nurse-led advance care planning

Abstract

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) supports persons at any age or health status to determine their values, goals, and preferences regarding future medical care. The American Nurses Association endorses nurses to facilitate ACP to promote patient- and family-centered care.

Purpose

This project reviewed and synthesized literature on nurse-led ACP training models.

Methods

A scoping review used the Arksey and O'Malley Framework to identify: (a) ACP training model type, (b) nurse-led ACP recipients, (c) ACP in special populations, (d) ACP outcomes.

Findings

Of 33 articles reviewed, 19 included 11 established models; however, the primary finding was lack of a clearly identified evidence-based nurse-led ACP training model.

Discussion

Nurses are integral team members, well positioned to be a bridge of communication between patients and care providers. This is a call to action for nurse leaders, researchers, educators to collaborate to identify and implement an evidence-based, effective nurse-led ACP training model.