Reassessing advance care planning in the light of covid-19
Sarah Hopkins, Roberta Lovick, Louisa Polak, Ben Bowers, Tessa Morgan, Michael P. Kelly, Stephen Barclay
Abstract
Compared with younger people, older people and those with frailty are more likely to die from acute infections, such as covid-19, and less likely to survive intensive care. 1 2 This has prompted calls internationally for advance care planning in these vulnerable populations, focusing on documenting individuals' preferences for resuscitation and hospital admission. 3 4 We suggest that the benefits of advance care planning derive more from its process than from the plans it produces, and that recognising this is essential for provision of optimum care for patients and their families.Moreover, an overemphasis on achieving individual choice, the stated purpose of advance care plans, may paradoxically undermine good care.