When do Physicians and Nurses Start Communication about Advance Care Planning? A Qualitative Study at an Acute Care Hospital in Japan

Although advance care planning (ACP) can lead to more patient-centered care, the communication around it can be challenging in acute care hospitals, where saving a life or shortening hospitalization is important priorities. Our qualitative study in an acute care hospital in Japan revealed when specifically physicians and nurses start communication to facilitate ACP. Seven physicians and 19 nurses responded to an interview request, explaining when ACP communication was initiated with 32 patients aged 65 or older. Our qualitative approach employed descriptive analysis to identify major themes, which included “initiation by patients” and “initiation by healthcare professionals.” In the latter case, seven specific triggers were identified: (1) when the patients’ medical condition changed in terms of symptom relief, (2) when the patients’ medical condition changed in terms of prognostic prediction, (3) when serious events occurred, (4) when a choice of treatment was presented, (5) when the location for end-of-life care was chosen, (6) when the patients’ cognitive function deteriorated, and (7) when serious events settled down. Within this group of healthcare professionals, physicians were more focused on changes in their patients’ medical condition, whereas nurses focused more on their patients’ desire for a long-term perspective. Nurses encouraged patients to consider ACP themselves, which developed into an approach to respect patients’ autonomy. In acute care hospitals, it appeared to be desirable to have an early discussion where patients could understand the significance ACP, which would matter even after their discharge from the hospital.