Advance care planning

Abstract

Background: Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia1 states that in caring for patients towards the end of their life, good medical practice involves facilitating advance care planning. Objective: This article discusses the role of advance care planning in end-of-life care, with an emphasis on the ethical and legal framework for advance care directives. Discussion: There has been an increased focus on advanced care planning and advance care directives in Australia, partly driven by the ageing population and technological advances, as well as the principle of patient-centred care. General practitioners have an important role in initiating and facilitating advance care planning.