2010 FEB 15 - (NewsRx.com) -- "and objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate the phenomenon of Advance Care Planning and the use of Advance Care Directives in residential aged care facilities in Australia," scientists in Australia report.

"The objectives were to: investigate the implementation process of Advance Care Planning and the use of Advance Care Directives; investigate the outcomes of Advance Care Planning and experiences of people involved in Advance Care Planning and Advance Care Directives, including residents, families and nursing staff. Benefits of Advance Care Planning for older residents are considerable given their degenerative health-breakdown and minimal chance of recovery. To date, the use of Advance Care Planning and Advance Care Directives is limited and models of service delivery and processes are needed to enhance best practice with Advance Care Planning and positive outcomes for older Australians. Case study. The study conducted using multiple sources of evidence to enrich understanding of the phenomenon of Advance Care Planning. The researcher engaged in data collection over six months involving participant observation, field notes, semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The findings contribute to the limited knowledge of options currently available to older adults and their families in their decision-making about end-of-life care options. Permission to conduct the study. Prior to commencement of the data collection, ethics clearances from the University of Newcastle and the regional Area Health Service were achieved. Permission to access the residential aged care facilities to undertake the study was obtained from the relevant residential aged care facility ethics committees or designated authorities. The researcher undertook several strategies to ensure all the ethical principles were considered and adhered to while conducting the project. The research identified the components and factors involved in the Advance Care Planning process and in attaining desired outcomes. The conceptual framework developed elaborates how Advance Care Planning should be implemented and what may constitute successful implementation of Advance Care Planning in residential aged care facilities. The four main elements (input, throughput, output, feedback), and 20 sub-elements were requisites for nurses to initiate and implement the Advance Care Planning. The essential components for end-of-life care are identified in the implementation processes of Advance Care Planning in residential aged care facilities," wrote S.Y.S. Jeong and colleagues, University of Newcastle.

The researchers concluded: "The study contributes to greater awareness of the processes needed for 'dying well' and highlights the need to explore experiences of 'successful dying' and the way nurses contribute to these events."

Jeong and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Clinical Nursing (The essentials of Advance Care Planning for end-of-life care for older people. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2010;19(3-4):389-397).

For additional information, contact S.Y.S. Jeong, University of Newcastle, Sch Nursing & Widwifery, POB 127, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia.

The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Clinical Nursing is: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., Commerce Place, 350 Main St., Malden 02148, MA, USA.

This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.