Advanced care planning: The concept over time.

BACKGROUND

The process of advanced care planning (ACP) assists patients to clarify goals for the end of life.

DESIGN

The concept analysis used the Walker and Avant approach to analyze the concept of ACP.

DATA SOURCES

Dictionary definitions, historical documents, position statements and database searches were performed in PubMed to yield 187 articles which were reviewed for use of the concept. Additional sources were reviewed for relevance of the concept over time.

RESULTS

The historical progression of the concept of ACP in the literature has progressed from a legal concept to a prominent concept in the medical literature.

CONCLUSION

This analysis aims to improve clarity of the concept of ACP. The article offers provides details of necessary components of these important discussions to improve nurse's awareness of the ACP process. Conceptual understanding will help nurses be better equipped to disseminate information regarding ACP with patients and families.