Future care planning

Abstract

Future care planning (FCP) is increasingly discussed within supportive and palliative care policy contexts in the UK and internationally. This article incorporates a scoping review of the literature to provide a summary overview. FCP is discussed as a policy element improving end-of-life care by encompassing advance care planning and furthermore including individuals with diminished decision-making capacity through a best-interests approach. The evidence base further indicates that FCP is being increasingly applied in palliative care settings worldwide and has been adopted as part of several national strategies, including in Wales and in Scotland. A clear and consistent definition of FCP will help support health and social care professionals working in frailty and palliative care. Our review identified definitions of FCP in the existing literature and described what a future care plan is, including what end-of-life care should look like and incorporate.

Keywords: Advance Care Planning; Advance Directives; Bereavement; End of life care.

Figure 1. Flow of information through the different phases of the review.