Survey Reveals Barriers to End-of-Life, Advance Care Planning Discussions

Although almost all physicians who treat Medicare beneficiaries think end-of-life and advance care planning conversations are important, many of them report significant barriers to having these discussions with those for whom they care, and 46% report that they frequently or sometimes feel unsure of what to say, according to the results of a new national poll.

The survey findings mesh with the opinions of members of the Assisted Living Committee of AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, who recently identified rehospitalizations as one of the top three issues on which assisted living providers should focus. The provision of care, including end-of-life care, was identified as an important area as well.