Advanced Care Planning for the Orthopaedic Patient

Abstract

➢ Advanced care planning most commonly refers to the act of planning and preparing for decisions with regard to end-of-life care and/or serious illness based on a patient’s personal values, life goals, and preferences.➢ Over time, advanced care planning and its formalization through advanced directives have demonstrated substantial benefits to patients, their families and caregivers, and the larger health-care system.➢ Despite these benefits, advanced care planning and advanced directives remain underutilized.➢ Orthopaedic surgeons interact with patients during sentinel events, such as fragility hip fractures, that indicate a decline in the overall health trajectory.➢ Orthopaedic surgeons must familiarize themselves with the concepts and medicolegal aspects of advanced care planning so that care can be optimized for patients during sentinel health events.