N19: Advance Directive
Course Overview
CE Hours
3 CE Credits
Course Description
Advance Directives examines how advance directives fit into end-of-life care and how health professionals can guide patients and families through the advance directive planning process. This course covers the types and purposes of advance directives including living wills, health care proxies, and durable powers of attorney; patient rights in end-of-life decision-making; research findings on advance care planning effectiveness; a structured five-part process for advance care planning discussions; patient preference patterns for hypothetical end-of-life situations; and the POLST paradigm for portable medical orders. Learners will develop the skills to evaluate how advance directives fit into end-of-life care and design advance directive planning steps that meet patient needs.
Course Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the POLST paradigm and explain how it complements advance directives in communicating patient wishes
- Define advance directives and describe the purpose and components of living wills, health care proxies, and durable powers of attorney
- Explain patients’ rights regarding end-of-life medical treatment and the importance of making wishes known in advance
- Describe the key research findings on the current state of advance care planning including barriers to effective implementation
- Explain why advance care planning discussions improve patient satisfaction and reduce fear and anxiety in patients and families
- Apply the five-part structured process for advance care planning discussions in clinical practice
- Describe patient preference patterns for end-of-life treatment decisions under hypothetical conditions
- Explain how patient preference patterns can predict other treatment choices
Course Format and Faculty
Course Format:
Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.
Course Developers and Instructors:
R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.
Course Time:
Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.
