Advance care planning for general practice

This activity is designed to assist GPs in identifying patients for whom ACP would be appropriate and implementing it with these patients. It also aims to clarify state and territory differences in terminology and law to avoid confusion, which could potentially undermine your practice's confidence in implementing ACP processes.

Relevance to General Practice

Advance care planning (ACP) allows competent patients to express their wishes for future health care and medical treatment in case of loss of capacity. Not only does it give the patient peace of mind, but it takes the decision-making burden from healthcare professionals and family members at a difficult time.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) believes that general practitioners (GPs) are well positioned to initiate and promote ACP due to the ongoing and trusted relationships they build with their patients. The RACGP would like to see ACP incorporated into routine general practice.

Learning outcomes

Develop a systematic process within your general practice to identify patients who might benefit from advance care planning.

Explain what advance care planning is and the principles behind it.

Identify at least three patient types who might benefit from advance care planning.

Develop two strategies for introducing the topic to patients.

Outline the criteria that determine a patient’s mental capacity to execute an advance care directive.

Domains of General Practice

D1. Communication skills and the patient-doctor relationship

Effective communication is used in challenging situations

D2. Applied professional knowledge and skills

Comprehensive and holistic management plans are developed collaboratively

D3. Population health and the context of general practice

The patterns and prevalence of disease are incorporated into screening and management practices

D4. Professional and ethical role

Adherence to relevant codes and standards of ethical and professional behaviour

D5. Organisational and legal dimensions

Patient confidentiality is managed appropriately

Curriculum Contextual Units

Adult health
Care of older people
Residential care
Oncology and palliative care
Psychological health