The following literature reviews cite several research studies highlighting the benefits and outcomes of advance care planning. Use the information and references in these articles to help define the anticipated value of advance care planning activities for your organization and the people you serve.
Communication About Serious Illness Care Goals: A Review and Synthesis of Best Practices
Reviews evidence about the benefits of advance care planning including reported improved quality of life, less aggressive medical care near death, earlier hospice referrals, higher incidence of wishes being honored, reduction in surrogate distress, improved bereavement outcomes, and reduction in costs attributable to fewer interventions, less time in the hospital, and fewer hospitalizations. Also describes best practices in advance care planning conversations, and recommendations for developing a systematic approach.
Advance Care Planning and Advance Directives
A thorough review of research literature with multiple research citation links in the References. Literature review is kept up to date. Cites several benefits and outcomes (“effectiveness”) of advance care planning including increased likelihood that clinicians and families understand and comply with the person’s wishes, reduced hospital stays at the end of life, less likelihood of intensive treatments at the end of life, increased enrollment in hospice care, and higher likelihood of the person dying in the setting of their choice
Detering, K., & Silveira, M. J. UpToDate. (2019). Advance care planning and advance directives
The effects of advance care planning on end-of-life care: A systematic review
Overview of studies on the effects of advance care planning. Citations include reference to studies demonstrating advance care planning decreases life-sustaining treatment, increases use of hospice and palliative care, and prevents hospitalization.
Value Snapshot | Advance Care Planning
Review of research that consistently demonstrates that advance care planning improves patient and family satisfaction with care, reduces the cost of care, reduces unnecessary hospitalizations, and increases timely enrollment in hospice and palliative care.