Continuity of Patient Information to Palliative Care

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the sharing of knowledge and information to palliative care in terms of information content, information structure and information quality by means of Advance Care Planning (ACP). This study used a descriptive qualitative study design. Purposively selected nurses, physicians and social workers working in palliative care in Finland took part in thematic interviews in five hospitals in three hospital districts in 2019. The data (n = 33) were analyzed by means of content analysis. The results demonstrate the evidence-based practices of ACP in terms of information content, structure and quality. The results of this study can be utilized in the development of sharing knowledge and information and as the basis in the development of an ACP instrument.