Identifying the Factors Associated With Canadian Registered Nurses' Engagement in Advance Care Planning

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Palliative Care
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Advance care planning (ACP) involves patient-centered discussions about end-of-life care preferences.
• Effective ACP is crucial for aligning patient values with medical interventions.
• Understanding nurse engagement in ACP is vital for improving end-of-life care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent of registered nurse (RN) engagement in advance care planning (ACP) in Canada.
• To identify factors influencing RNs' decisions to participate in ACP with patients.
• To explore barriers encountered by RNs in implementing ACP.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed.
• One hundred twenty-five registered nurses (RNs) in Canada participated in the study.
• Data were collected on RNs' perceptions and practices regarding ACP.

Main Results:

• While RNs acknowledged the significance of end-of-life decision-making, a majority reported not engaging in ACP.
• RNs in community settings were less likely to participate in ACP.
• Key barriers included limited organizational policies, lack of role expectation, insufficient education, and patient/family unreadiness.

Conclusions:

• Continuing education on ACP is recommended for registered nurses.
• Organizational support is essential for facilitating RNs' engagement in advance care planning.
• Addressing identified barriers is crucial for successful ACP implementation in nursing practice.