Lum HD, et al. – This examination investigated the effect of a primary care–based advance care planning (ACP) group visit (ACP–GV) intervention on older adults' ACP documentation and why patients participated. The findings revealed that this ACP–GV intervention increased ACP documentation among patients with diverse reasons for participating. This was a patient–centered approach to ACP in primary care.

Methods

• For the purpose of this study, older adults (>65 years) in primary care took part in a 2-session ACP-GV intervention that promotes group dynamics, peer-based learning, and goal setting.
• Charts were reviewed at baseline, three months, and a year for documentation of decision makers and ACP forms.
• The authors depicted patients' purposes behind taking part through analysis of transcripts.

Results

• One hundred eighteen patients (mean age 76 years; 62% female and 82% white) took an interest in 16 ACP-GV cohorts.
• From baseline to 3-month follow-up, documentation of decision maker preferences expanded from 39% to 81%, and was 89% at 12-month follow-up.
• Findings revealed that patients with completed ACP forms expanded from 20% to 57% at 3 months, and was 67% at 12 months.
• Purposes behind partaking included recognizing the importance of ACP, curiosity, participation recommended by primary care provider, desire to talk with family/friends, and desire to complete advance directives.