Advance Care Planning

Within the research area on Advance Care Planning (ACP), ACP is seen as a proactive, ongoing process that involves discussing, documenting and regularly updating a person’s preferences and values regarding future medical, nursing and informal care and treatment.

The aim of ACP is to ensure that individuals receive care that aligns with their personal wishes, especially in situations where they may find it difficult or are unable to make or communicate their own care decisions.

The ACP research area focuses specifically on applied scientific research into the quality of care and quality of life of people with multimorbidity, already before and during the palliative phase. Modern diagnostics and care planning, in which the family approach, shared decision-making, health literacy and technological innovations are integratively included in the research are central.

Integrated research approach
The integrated approach of the research means that the entire care chain is involved. That is to say: general practitioner care in the primary care setting, ambulance services, hospital care, home care and elderly care.

ACP is interpreted broadly within this research line. It focuses on the entire care process, as well as on the decision-making underlying it. This process can begin well -up to several years- before the dying phase sets in. The way in which a value-driven, appropriate care plan can be developed forms the core research focus.

Professional roles
In addition to the wishes and wellbeing of patients with multimorbidity in the palliative phase, the research line focuses on the professional role and responsibility of, in particular, the nurse specialist within ACP in the diagnostic overlap area between the nurse specialist, the GP and the medical specialist.

The research usually involves bachelor’s students, master’s students, PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. The aim of the research line is to support and further develop the role of care professionals as researchers.

Involved partners
The research line collaborates with lecturers, senior researchers and data specialists. For example, there is collaboration with the professorship of Nursing Diagnostics and its associated professorships in Family Care and Value-driven and Appropriate Care, the Centre of Expertise in Entrepreneurship and the UMCG.

In addition, the professorship is also closely connected to Health Noord and the Point-of-Care Technology accelerator.