Palliative medicine : a case-based manual / edited by Susan MacDonald (Associate Professor of Medicine and Family Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland, Canada), Leonie M. Herx (Associate Professor and Chair, Division of Palliative Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Medical Director of Palliative Care, Kingston Health Sciences Centre & Clinical Director of Palliative Care, Providence Care Hospital, Past-President, Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians, Kingston, Ontario, Canada), Anne B. Boyle (Associate Clinical Professor, President, Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians, Co-Medical Director, Palliative Care St Joseph's Healthcare, Canada, Enhanced Skills Program Director, Division of Palliative Care Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Advance care planning (ACP) conversations and goals of care (GOC) discussions prepare patients and their substitute decision makers for medical decision making. When rooted in a patient's values and person-centred in approach, ACP and GOC discussions can optimize the likelihood a person receives care that is concordant with their goals. This chapter explores the definitions and clinical processes for ACP and GOC discussions and describes how a patient's values and goals can directly inform medical decision making. Differences in ACP among healthy individuals and seriously ill, common communication challenges and the pitfalls of a treatment-centered approach are described. We underscore the importance of illness understanding and provide tips on addressing prognosis. Finally, health care system impacts of ACP and GOC are considered"-- Provided by publisher.