Delphi Study on Objectives, Outcomes, and Consensus Definition for Advance Care Planning (ACP) Interventions
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is widely recognized as a key component of person-centred and high-quality care, yet its core purpose, intended outcomes and definition are often interpreted differently across settings, populations, and disciplines. These conceptual differences have contributed to inconsistent implementation and evaluation of ACP globally, and controversies regarding its value.
This Delphi study seeks to establish expert and stakeholder consensus on three related but distinct elements of ACP:
- Outcomes – the measurable consequences or indicators that demonstrate whether ACP objectives have been achieved (the "what happens" as a result of ACP).
- Definition – a shared conceptual description of what ACP encompasses.
Through this process, we aim to clarify what ACP is for, how success should be recognised, and how ACP should be defined for research, policy, and practice.
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor Chetna Malhotra
Head (Research), Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School