Advance Care Planning in the Netherlands

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Palliative Care
• Healthcare Systems

Background:

• The Dutch healthcare system emphasizes accessible generalist and palliative care.
• General practitioners are ideally positioned for advance care planning (ACP) conversations.
• Current ACP initiation is often reactive, particularly for frail patients in nursing homes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore challenges and opportunities in systematic advance care planning (ACP) implementation.
• To identify strategies for a proactive, person-centered approach to ACP.
• To assess the role of digital solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration in ACP.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national programs and implemented tools for ACP awareness and initiation.
• Review of challenges in systematic, cross-sectoral ACP implementation.
• Exploration of digital solutions and cultural fit for ACP.

Main Results:

• Various tools and training exist, funded by national programs focused on implementation.
• Systematic and continuous ACP implementation across sectors remains a major challenge.
• Digital solutions and integration of non-medical disciplines (nursing, spiritual care) show promise.

Conclusions:

• Integrating ACP systematically requires moving beyond ad hoc or procedure-focused approaches.
• Digital tools can enhance continuity and communication in care planning.
• A person-centered ACP approach benefits from interdisciplinary collaboration and public health strategies.