Evaluation shows ACP workshops give families confidence to enact loved one’s wishes

A recent evaluation of our Advance Care Planning workshops,  Advance Care Planning Workshops Evaluation Report 2024, showed that they were instrumental in enabling individuals to complete the Advance Health Directives (AHDs) correctly.

Authored by Professor Davina Porock, ECU; Gertrude Phiri, ECU; Emma Gunner, ECU; Philip Bafile, UWA, the report identified that the workshops gave substitute decision-makers confidence in enacting the AHD for their loved ones, leading to increased satisfaction with end-of-life care and reduced stress and anxiety.

Additionally, a completed AHD fostered harmony among family members because the document clearly stated the individual’s preferences and was easy to follow.

AHDs helped healthcare professionals provide seamless care and led to fewer unwanted healthcare procedures and hospitalisations.

A case study from the evaluation highlighted the value of the workshops:

“It was just about three months after attending the workshop and completing the AHD form that my friend and neighbour had a fall in his bedroom and broke his neck. His only brother was overseas, when he arrived, he wanted all the treatment, but I knew that my friend did not want to be kept alive for the sake of being alive. Visiting him in hospital also became difficult for me since I was not family. When I managed to get permission to visit, I made sure that the AHD was provided for the medical team. The AHD was well written having been assisted by Palliative Care WA with the wording. I also felt it was my duty to advocate for him because I knew what he wanted. At the end I was holding his neck and face, which was the only part of him that he could feel. I was with him when he died. The advocacy I was able to give would never have happened if I hadn’t gone to the workshop and got help on how to properly complete the AHD and how important it is.”