Accessibility of information on patients' and family members' end-of-life wishes in advance care planning

Aim: To describe healthcare professionals' accessibility and transfer of patients' and family members' end-of-life wishes in ACP to the palliative care unit.

Design: The study used a qualitative descriptive study design.

Methods: Purposive sampling was used. The data (N = 33) were collected through interviews with physicians, registered nurses, practical nurses and social workers. The data were analysed by inductive content analysis.

Results: Two main categories emerged. Patients' and family members' end-of-life wishes documentation in relation to changing information needs was described in relation to patients' condition and care context. Transfer of patients' and family members' end-of-life wishes to palliative care unit included written and verbal communication. Results showed lack of implementation of ACP early, lack of implementation about the holistic interpretation of ACP into medical notes and lack of transferability of ACP into documenting systems impacting on accessibility and realization for the patient and family members at the end-of-life.