Not Just the Forms: Ethical and Legal Dimensions of "The Conversation"

Not Just the Forms: Ethical and Legal Dimensions of the Conversation 

Shilpa Shashidhara, Ph.D., Bioethicist, Sutter Health Bay Area;  Ryan Holmes, Ph.D., Bioethicist, Sutter Health Bay Area 

Health care providers are obligated to honor patient wishes and preferences as documented in advance care planning forms. These forms are an essential tool in providing coordinated care across multiple care settings. However, challenges can arise when there is uncertainty around the interpretation and application of these forms. This presentation will discuss the purpose and function of the forms and the ethical and legal considerations of “The Conversation” when discussing the patient’s preferences and wishes. 

A session from the Critical Conversations: An Advance Care Planning Summit for Advocates hosted by the ACCMA and the East Bay Conversation Project on October 11, 2018.