Characteristics of timely integration of palliative care into oncology hospital care for patients with incurable cancer: results of a Delphi Study.

PURPOSE: To identify elements of timely integration of palliative care (PC) into hospital oncology care from best practices. Thereafter, to assess the level of consensus among oncology and PC specialists and patient and relative representatives on the characteristics of timely integration of PC. METHODS: A three-round modified Delphi study was conducted. The expert panel consisted of 83 healthcare professionals (HCPs) from 21 Dutch hospitals (43 physicians, 40 nurses), 6 patient and 2 relative representatives. In the first round, four elements of integrated PC were considered: (1) identification of potential PC needs, (2) advance care planning (ACP), (3) routine symptom monitoring and (4) involvement of the specialist palliative care team (SPCT). In subsequent rounds, the panellists assessed which characteristics were triggers for initiating an element. A priori consensus was set at ≥ 70%. RESULTS: A total of 71 (78%) panellists completed the first questionnaire, 65 (71%) the second and 49 (54%) the third. Panellists agreed that all patients with incurable cancer should have their PC needs assessed (97%), symptoms monitored (91%) and ACP initiated (86%). The SPCT should be involved at the patient's request (86%) or when patients suffer from increased symptom burden on multiple dimensions (76%). Patients with a life expectancy of less than 3 months should be offered a consultation (71%). CONCLUSION: The expert panel agreed that timely integration of PC into oncology is important for all patients with incurable cancer, using early identification, ACP and routine symptom monitoring. Involvement of the SPCT is particularly needed in patients with multidimensional symptom burden and in those nearing death.

[Aspiration pneumonia and dementia in nursing homes: to anticipate emergency.] / Pneumonie d'aspiration en EMS et démence : anticiper l'urgence.

The care of a nursing home resident suffering from dementia and aspiration pneumonia (AP) is generally initiated by the family doctor (FD) in collaboration with the nursing home professionals. This is a holistic emergency medicine whose occurrence should be the subject of advance care planning, an AP being rarely isolated, and its risk factors are known. AP - the probable cause of half of deaths of demented individuals in nursing homes - requires essentially non-hospital care. It calls on the scientific, relational, collaborative, and ethical skills of the family doctor. This review aims to contextualize the emergency management skills of the FD in the living environment of the nursing home. The management of uncertainty linked to a probabilistic diagnosis is highlighted and care commensurate with life expectancy is provided.

La prise en soins d'un résident d'un établissement médicosocial (EMS) souffrant de démence et de pneumonie d'aspiration (PA) est en général initiée par le médecin de famille (MF) en collaboration avec les professionnels du lieu de vie de la personne. Il s'agit d'une médecine d'urgence holistique qui devrait faire l'objet d'un plan de soins anticipés, la PA étant rarement isolée et ses facteurs de risque étant connus. La PA est la cause probable de la moitié des décès de personnes démentes en EMS. Elle ne devrait en principe pas nécessiter d'hospitalisation. La PA fait appel à des compétences scientifiques, relationnelles, collaboratives et éthiques du MF. Dans cet article de revue, nous contextualisons les compétences de gestion de l'urgence du MF dans un EMS. Nous discutons également de la gestion de l'incertitude en lien avec un diagnostic probabiliste et proposons des soins en adéquation avec l'espérance de vie.

The Challenges of Advance Care Planning for Acute Care Registered Nurses.

STUDY BACKGROUND: The practice of acute care nurses is shaped by organizational factors such as lack of privacy, heavy workloads, unclear roles, lack of time, and lack of specific policies and procedures. We know little about the social and organizational structures and processes that influence nurses' uptake of valuable patient-centered discussions like advance care planning (ACP). ACP is beneficial for patients, their substitute decision makers, and healthcare providers. PURPOSE: To describe the operational, organizational, and societal influences shaping nurses' ACP work in acute care settings. METHODS: This ethnographic study purposively sampled 14 registered nurses and 9 administrators who worked in two acute care hospitals in Northeastern Ontario. Methods consisted of 23 open-ended, semi-structured interviews, 20 hours of observational fieldwork, and a collection of publicly available organizational documents. Data were inductively analyzed using an iterative constant comparative approach. RESULTS: Nurses were challenged to meet multiple competing demands, leaving them to scramble to manage complex and critically ill acute care patients while also fulfilling organizational tasks aligned with funding metrics, accreditation, and strategic planning priorities. Such factors limited nurses' capacity to engage their patients in ACP. CONCLUSIONS: Acute care settings that align patient values and medical treatment need to foster ACP practices by revising organizational policies and processes to support this outcome, analyzing the tasks of healthcare providers to determine who might best address it, and budgeting how to support it with additional resources.

Future policy and research for advance care planning in dementia: consensus recommendations from an international Delphi panel of the European Association for Palliative Care.

Advance care planning (ACP) is increasingly recognised in the global agenda for dementia care. The European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) Taskforce on ACP in Dementia aimed to provide recommendations for policy initiatives and future research. We conducted a four-round Delphi study with a 33-country panel of 107 experts between September, 2021, and June, 2022, that was approved by the EAPC Board. Consensus was achieved on 11 recommendations concerning the regulation of advance directives, equity of access, and dementia-inclusive approaches and conversations to express patients' values. Identified research gaps included the need for an evidence-based dementia-specific practice model that optimises engagement and communication with people with fluctuating and impaired capacity and their families to support decision making, while also empowering people to adjust their decisions if their goals or preferences change over time. Policy gaps included insufficient health services frameworks for dementia-inclusive practice. The results highlight the need for more evidence and policy development that support inclusive ACP practice models.

Implementation of kidney palliative care-lessons learned from the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Advanced kidney disease is a progressive life-limiting illness associated with high symptom burden, disability, and highly intensive care near the end of life. There is growing interest in integrating palliative care principles into the care of patients with advanced kidney disease to improve care and outcomes for these patients. The United States (US) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been a leader in advancing palliative care initiatives across its health system and whose experience and approach may be instructive to other health systems seeking to develop kidney palliative care (KPC) services. Herein, we review current KPC programs in the VA and highlight the different models of care that programs have been adopted and how key components of goals of care conversations and advance care planning, symptom management, multidisciplinary care, patient selection, and quality improvement have been implemented across programs. VA KPC programs have adopted "parallel", "merged", and "embedded" models of KPC that reflect the different configurations of partnerships between nephrology and palliative care providers to deliver KPC. A primary service of VA KPC programs is providing goals of care conversations and advance care planning to referred patients and systematically documenting the outcomes of these discussions in standardized note templates in the electronic medical record. Symptom management is delivered by KPC providers through regular shared or sequential visits with patients' nephrology providers and is guided by patient responses to validated symptom surveys. Programs are staffed by allied health professionals, such as chaplains, pharmacists, social workers, and dieticians, to provide whole-person care and regularly huddle with nephrology staff to reach a shared understanding of each patient's care needs and plan. KPC programs implement champions who select patients in greatest need of KPC using a combination of clinical events that trigger referral for KPC and validated mortality risk prediction scores that are automatically generated in each patient's medical record. KPC programs also routinely collect clinical, patient-reported, process, and care quality measures to assess its services. The experiences of the VA highlight novel approaches that strive to close the care gaps in meeting the KPC needs of patients with advanced kidney disease.

A Mixed-Methods Comparison of Interventions to Increase Advance Care Planning.

PURPOSE: Although interventions can increase advance care planning (ACP) engagement, it remains unclear which interventions to choose in primary care settings. This study compares a passive intervention (mailed materials) to an interactive intervention (group visits) on participant ACP engagement and experiences. METHODS: We used mixed methods to examine ACP engagement at baseline and six months following two ACP interventions. Eligible patients were randomized to receive mailed materials or participate in two ACP group visits. We administered the 4-item ACP Engagement survey (n = 110) and conducted interviews (n = 23). We compared mean scores and percent change in ACP engagement, analyzed interviews with directed content analysis to understand participants' ACP experiences, and integrated the findings based on mailed materials or group visits intervention. RESULTS: All participants demonstrated increased ACP engagement scores. At six months, group visit participants reported higher percent change in mean overall score compared with mailed materials participants (+8% vs +3%, P < .0001). Group visits participants reported that being prompted to think about end-of-life preferences, gaining knowledge about ACP, and understanding the value of completing ACP documentation influenced their ACP readiness. While both interventions encouraged patients to start considering and refining their end-of-life preferences, group visits made patients feel more knowledgeable about ACP, highlighted the importance of completing ACP documentation early, and sparked further ACP discussions with others. CONCLUSIONS: While primary care patients may benefit from mailed ACP materials, patients reported increased readiness after ACP group visits. Group visits emphasized the value of upstream preparation, ongoing conversations, and increased knowledge about ACP.

Improving age-friendly advance care planning in primary care: Outcomes from a Pacific Northwest learning collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning (ACP) is the process of having conversations with patients to ensure preferences are known and support patient healthcare goals. ACP and the Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) Initiative's, "What Matters," are synergistic approaches to patient-centered conversations. Implementation and measurement of ACP in primary care (PC) are variables in quality and consistency. We examined whether participation in an ACP learning collaborative (LC) would improve knowledge and ability to conduct ACP discussions and increase the frequency of documented ACP in participating practices. METHODS: The WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) region Practice and Research Network (WPRN) and the Northwest Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Center collaboratively organized a 9-month virtual LC. It consisted of 4 synchronous, 1.5-h sessions, technical support, and a panel of ACP experts. A Wilcoxon rank sum test assessed differences in knowledge from a pre-post survey. Documentation of ACP in the EHR was collected after at least one plan-do-study-act cycle. RESULTS: We enrolled 17 participants from 6 PC practices (3 hospital-affiliated; 3 Federally Qualified Health Centers) from the WPRN. Two practices did not complete all LC activities. There was a trend toward increased ACP knowledge and skills overall especially in having discussions patients and families (pre-mean 2.9 [SD = 0.7]/post-mean 4.0[SD = 1.1], p < 0.05). 4/6 practices observed an increase in EHR documentation post-collaborative (median 16.3%, IQR 1.3%-36.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The LC increased PC providers knowledge and skills of ACP and AFHS's What Matters, reported ACP EHR documentation, and contributed to practice change.

A long way from Frome: improving connections between patients, local services and communities to reduce emergency admissions.

BACKGROUND: Low socio-economic status can lead to poor patient outcomes, exacerbated by lack of integration between health and social care and there is a demand for developing new models of working. AIM: To improve connections between patients, local services and their communities to reduce unscheduled admissions. DESIGN AND SETTING: A primary care cluster with areas of high deprivation, consisting of 11 general practices serving over 74,000 people. METHOD: A multi-disciplinary team with representatives from healthcare, local council and the third sector was formed to provide support for people with complex or social needs. A discharge liaison hub contacted patients following hospital discharge offering support, while cluster pharmacists led medicine reviews. Wellbeing Connectors were commissioned to act as a link to local wellbeing and social resources. Advance Care Planning was implemented to support personalised decision making. RESULTS: Unscheduled admissions in the over 75 age group decreased following the changes, equating to over 800 avoided monthly referrals to assessment units for the cluster. Over 2,500 patients have been reviewed by the MDT since its inception with referrals to social prescribing groups, physiotherapy and mental health teams; these patients are 20% less likely to contact their GP after their case is discussed. An improved sense of wellbeing was reported by 80% of patients supported by wellbeing connectors. Staff feel better able to meet patient needs and reported an increased joy in working. CONCLUSION: Improved integration between health, social care and third sector has led to a reduction in admissions, improved patient wellbeing and has improved job satisfaction amongst staff.

A Survey of State Correctional Health Care Providers on Advance Care Planning: Opportunity for Collaboration With Corrections.

Prison populations are rapidly aging. Persons in prison age quicker and suffer more chronic illness and disability than their nonincarcerated peers, posing challenges to caring for prisoners who are chronically ill and dying. The goal of our study was to describe state prisons' practices and policies addressing persons in prison with advanced chronic and life limiting illness through a national web-based survey of state-level prison health care professionals. In particular, we focused on advanced care planning, use of health care directives, decision-making about goals of care, including life sustaining treatments, The response rate was 22% for a sample size 152 completed surveys. The average age of respondent was 52 years; majority were female and Caucasian, and had worked in corrections more than 8 years. Nearly half were registered nurses. Most reported their prison did not have a dedicated end-of-life care program and only 11% offered a peer-care program. However, two-thirds indicated their facility provided the opportunity to designate a health care agent with physicians most likely responsible for facilitating completion of a health care directive. It is evident the care of persons aging and dying in prison is complex and requires further investigation addressing staff and prison population education, ethics guidelines for care, compassionate release, and advance care planning. This study suggests that hospice and palliative care professionals could collaborate with corrections professionals and national organizations to provide innovative education and support to enhance the humane care of this vulnerable population.

Planificación compartida de la atención: la COVID-19, ¿una oportunidad? / Shared care planning: COVID-19, is it an opportunity?

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Medicina anticipatoria vs medicina preventiva. Como crear enfermos buscando la salud. (I) Las Estadísticas / Anticipatory medicine vs preventive medicine. How to create patients looking for health. (I) Statistics

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Plan de nacimiento: una mirada de los profesionales de la salud en Portugal / Birth plan: a look of the health professionals in Portugal

Introduction: The birth plan (BP) is a written document prepared by the couple to express their wishes regarding birth. It has been the subject of health studies, although in Portugal there is a lack of research. Objective: To identify the perception of health professionals (HP) about the BP in Portugal. Methods: qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study with self-completed questionnaire on an online platform. Anonymity and confidentiality guaranteed. We used the content analysis according to Bardin and the INVivo12 tool. The non-probabilistic, intentional sample with 44 nurses midwives. Results and discussion: The BP was associated with the descriptors: empowerment and decision, humanization, choice and respect. 72.7% informed the woman/couple during the prenatal appointment and in childbirth classes. 47.7% assisted in its construction; 50% reported difficulties due to lack of model, non-acceptance and fears of HP reactions. 93.1% thought that their presentation to the team is important; 63.6% considered that BP isn't respected in maternities for institutional and professional reasons; 90.9% considered that the HP reacts in several ways to the presentation of the BP, from the devaluation to the need for its institutionalization. The results show that, although we are in different stages of BP implementation, the difficulties presented are similar to those developed in Europe. Conclusions: The results show that the HP recognize the advantages of the BP as a facilitating and reorientation strategy for women/couples in childbirth, promoting respectful and citizen-centered care. From conception to implementation, the BP seems to be a still incipient practice in Portugal. The HP considers necessary to create policies for the implementation and development of BP, important for citizens as well as for the HP

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Armonización terapéutica: la necesaria alineación de los sistemas de salud con los resultados que importan a las personas / Therapeutic harmonization: the necessary alignment of the healthcare systems with the results that matters to the patients

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Care transition strategies in Latin American countries: an integrative review / Estrategias de transición de cuidados en los países latinoamericanos: una revisión integrativa / Estratégias de transição de cuidados nos países latino-americanos: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract OBJECTIVE To identify and analyze available literature on care transition strategies in Latin American countries. METHODS Integrative literature review that included studies indexed in PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, SCOPUS databases, and the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), published in Portuguese, Spanish or English, between 2010 and 2017. RESULTS Eleven articles were selected and the strategies were grouped into components of care transition: discharge planning, advanced care planning, patient education and promotion of self-management, medication safety, complete communication of information, and outpatient follow-up. These strategies were carried out by multidisciplinary team members, in which nurses play a leading role in promoting safe care transitions. CONCLUSIONS Care transition activities are generally initiated very close to patient discharge, this differs from recommendations of care transition programs and models, which suggest implementing care transition strategies from the time of admission until discharge.

Resumen OBJETIVO Identificar la literatura disponible sobre estrategias de transición del cuidado entre niveles de atención a la salud en países de América Latina. MÉTODOS Revisión integradora que incluyó estudios indexados en las bases de datos PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, Scopus y Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), publicados en portugués, español o inglés, entre 2010 y 2017. RESULTADOS Se seleccionaron once artículos y las estrategias fueron agrupadas en componentes de la transición del cuidado: planificación de alta, planificación anticipada de cuidados, educación del paciente y promoción de la autogestión, seguridad de la medicación, comunicación completa de las informaciones y acompañamiento ambulatorial. Estas estrategias fueron realizadas por miembros del equipo multidisciplinario, en los que las enfermeras desempeñan un papel de liderazgo en la promoción de transiciones de cuidados seguras. CONCLUSIÓN Las actividades de transición del cuidado generalmente se inician muy cerca del alta del paciente, esto difiere de las recomendaciones de programas y modelos de transición de cuidados, que sugieren la implementación de estrategias de transición del cuidado desde el momento de la admisión hasta la alta.

Resumo OBJETIVO Identificar a literatura disponível sobre estratégias de transição do cuidado entre níveis de atenção à saúde em países da América Latina. MÉTODOS Revisão integrativa da literatura que incluiu estudos indexados nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, SCOPUS e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), publicados em português, espanhol ou inglês, entre 2010 e 2017. RESULTADOS Onze artigos foram selecionados e as estratégias foram agrupadas em componentes da transição do cuidado: planejamento de alta, planejamento antecipado de cuidados, educação do paciente e promoção do autogerenciamento, segurança da medicação, comunicação completa das informações e acompanhamento ambulatorial. Essas estratégias foram realizadas por membros da equipe multidisciplinar, nas quais enfermeiros desempenham um papel de liderança na promoção de transições de cuidados seguras. CONCLUSÕES As atividades de transição do cuidado geralmente são iniciadas muito próximas da alta do paciente, isso difere das recomendações de programas e modelos de transição de cuidados, que sugerem a implementação de estratégias transição de cuidado desde o momento da admissão até a alta.

Protocolo territorial de adecuación de la intensidad terapéutica. Área Metropolitana Sur de Barcelona / Regional protocol for adjusting the therapeutic intensity. Southern Metropolitan Area of Barcelona

La identificación de pacientes en situación de enfermedad crónica avanzada y complejidad, y la fragmentación de cuidados hacia el final de la vida aconsejan trazar un plan terapéutico a largo plazo, congruente con los valores y preferencias de los pacientes, a la vez que con un pronóstico vital y funcional razonables. Disponer de una herramienta de ajuste en la adecuación de la intensidad diagnóstica y terapéutica sería de ayuda en la continuidad de cuidados y podría ser facilitadora de la toma de decisiones en las transiciones y en los cambios dinámicos que presentan los pacientes a medida que se acercan al final del proceso vital

The identification of patients with advanced and complex chronic diseases, and the fragmentation of care towards the end of life, requires the drawing up a long-term therapeutic plan. This should take into account the values and preferences of the patients, as well as the vital and functional prognosis. Having an adjustment tool for determining the diagnostic and therapeutic effort is helpful in the continuity of care, as well as in decision-making in the transitions and dynamic changes of patients as they approach the end of life process

Planificación anticipada de los cuidados: un problema presente, un reto futuro / Early care planning: A present problem, a future challenge

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Preferencias de las personas muy mayores sobre la atención sanitaria / Healthcare preferences of the very elderly: a review

Ante el hecho de que las preferencias de las personas muy mayores no son consideradas en la planificación sanitaria, se realiza una revisión de la literatura médica para aumentar su conocimiento. Ellos piensan que la atención sanitaria que reciben es buena. Luchan por construir una relación de confianza, en la que el médico controle sus decisiones. Priman la calidad frente a la cantidad de vida, y dan importancia al bienestar y la seguridad. La mayoría expresa el deseo de ser cuidado y morir en casa. Pero cuando enferman de gravedad, quieren ser trasladados al hospital. Se debe potenciar la planificación anticipada de los cuidados para satisfacer sus necesidades, a través de conversaciones repetidas centradas en los resultados y en los objetivos del paciente. Un sistema sanitario diseñado para el anciano muy mayor debe basarse en la flexibilidad y continuidad en los cuidados, de modo que favorezca la atención en el lugar elegido (AU)

The preferences of the very elderly are not taken into account in healthcare planning. For this reason, a medical literature review was performed in order to fill the gap in appropriate information on this issue. The majority of them think that they receive good healthcare. They favour building a trusting relationship, with the physician handling their decision-making. They also maximise their quality of life at the expense of quantity, and give great importance to comfort and safety. Most of them express the wish to be cared for and die at home. But when an acute event occurs, they want to be transferred to hospital. More explicit communication must be encouraged between very elderly patients, providers, and families to meet their subjective needs, through on-going discussions, focused on expected outcomes and patient care goals. A healthcare system designed to look after them should be based on individual and flexible care, with coordination between healthcare services. Such a healthcare system could enable a growing number of them to die in their preferred conditions (AU)

La planificación anticipada de las decisiones y sus factores asociados / The advance care plannings and its associated factors

Objetivo: Determinar el conocimiento y la planificación de la voluntad vital anticipada (VVA) en atención primaria e identificar factores asociados. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal. Población diana: médicos y enfermeros adscritos a 15 Unidades de Gestión Clínica del Distrito Sanitario Córdoba y Guadalquivir. Muestreo: Multietápico cuya N = 269. Instrumento: Cuestionario validado. Análisis estadístico: Descriptivo y multivariante de los datos obtenidos. Resultados: Edad media de los profesionales de 51 años (DT: 8,2) siendo mujeres el 60,9%. El 55,8% fueron médicos y el 79,3% propietarios de la plaza. La puntuación media de años de servicio fue 23,5 (DT: 9,4). El 50,9% trabajaba en ámbito rural. La puntuación media del conocimiento fue de 5,1 (DT: 2,09). El 98,4% considera que la VVA está regulada en Andalucía. El 56,9% no ha leído su documento y el 78,1% no ha leído la guía de planificación. El 65,6% no ubica el registro de VVA. El 89,3% no planifica en el último año; quien planifica lo hace menos de tres 3 veces. El valor p de la planificación es 0,838 respecto del sexo; 0,521 para la edad; 0,841 para el ámbito de trabajo; 0,543 para categoría profesional; 0,934 para años de servicio; y 0,210 para tipo de contrato. Solo la categoría profesional se asocia de manera significativa (p = 0,029) con la planificación y la lectura de la guía para planificar la VVA. Conclusiones: Pocos profesionales sanitarios planifican con el paciente la VVA, no identificándose factores independientes asociados al estudio

Objectives: Determine the knowledge and advance care planning in primary care and to identify associated factors. Material and Methods: Type of study: Cross-sectional multicentric study. Study population: Physicians and nurses of 15 Clinical Management Units at Cordoba and Guadalquivir Health District. Sampling: Multistage with N = 269. Tools: Validated questionnaire. Analysis: Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were done. Results: Mean age of 51 years professional (SD 8.2) and 60.9% of them were women. About 55.8% of participants were physicians and 79.3% had permanent posts. Mean working years was 23.5 (SD 9.4) and about 50.9% of participants worked at rural areas. Mean knowledge score was 5.1 (SD 2.09). 98.4% believe early vital will is regulated in Andalusia. About 56.9% have not read the regulatory document and 78.1% have not read the planning guidebook. More than 65% don’t know the corresponding registry office. 89.3% do not plan in the last year; who planned did that <3 times. The p value of planning is: 0.838 about sex; 0.521 about age; 0.841 about scope of work; 0.543 about professional category; 0.934 about years of service; and 0.210 about type of contract. Only the professional category is significantly (p=0.029) associated with the planning and reading of the guidebook to plan the advance directives. Conclusions: Few medical practitioners plan with the patient. No independent study identifies factors

El reto de la planificación anticipada de la atención al final de la vida en España / The challenge of advance care planning at the end of life in Spain

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Dificultades de las enfermeras de atención primaria en los procesos de planificación anticipada de las decisiones: un estudio cualitativo / Primary care nurses’ difficulties in advance care planning processes: a qualitative study

OBJETIVO: Conocer las dificultades que encuentran las enfermeras de atención primaria para promover procesos de planificación anticipada de las decisiones con personas en el final de la vida. DISEÑO: Estudio cualitativo fenomenológico. EMPLAZAMIENTO: Área de Gestión Sanitaria Norte de Jaén. PARTICIPANTES: Enfermeras de atención primaria. MÉTODO: Muestreo intencional. Realización de 14 entrevistas en profundidad hasta la saturación de los discursos. Análisis de contenido en 4 etapas: transcripción de datos, codificación, obtención de resultados y verificación de conclusiones. Uso de N-Vivo como apoyo al análisis. Triangulación de resultados entre investigadores. RESULTADOS: Dificultades referidas a los profesionales: falta de conocimiento sobre el tema, falta de habilidades de comunicación o de experiencia y presencia de emociones negativas. En la institución sanitaria, la falta de tiempo y las interferencias con otros profesionales suponen una barrera. También la actitud del propio paciente o su familia es vista como una traba ya que pocos hablan sobre el final de la vida. Finalmente, nuestra sociedad evita las conversaciones abiertas sobre temas relacionados con la muerte. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario el aprendizaje de los profesionales sobre planificación anticipada de decisiones, su entrenamiento en habilidades comunicativas y su educación afectiva. Los gestores sanitarios han de tener en cuenta el hecho de que las intervenciones para planificar anticipadamente decisiones sanitarias precisan formación, tiempo y atención continuada. En tanto no acontezca un cambio cultural, persistirá un modelo evasivo para afrontar el final de la vida

OBJECTIVE: To know the primary care nurses' difficulties to promote advance care planning process with patients in the end of life. DESIGN: Phenomenological qualitative methodology. LOCATION: Health Management Area North of Jaén. PARTICIPANTS: Primary care nurses. METHOD: Purposive sampling. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted until the speeches saturation. Content analysis in four steps: transcription, coding, obtaining results and conclusions verification. Supported whit the software Nvivo 8. Triangulation of results between researchers. RESULTS: Professionals' difficulties: Lack of knowledge about the topic, lack of communication skills, lack of experience and presence of negative emotions. In the health institution lack of time and interference with other professionals is a barrier. Also the patient's attitude and the family are identified as an obstacle because few people speak about the end of life. Finally, our society prevents open discussion about issues related to death. CONCLUSIONS: Professional learning about advanced care planning, training in communication skills and emotional education are necessary. Health managers should consider the fact that early interventions for planning health decisions require training, time and continued attention. If a cultural change does not happen, an evasive way to face the end of life will persist