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Advance care planning in palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review.

Voss, H., Vogel, A., Wagemans, A.M.A., Francke, A.L., Metsemakers, J.F.M., Courtens, A.M., Veer, A.J.E. de. Advance care planning in palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management: 2017, 54(6), p. 938-960.
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Context
Advance care planning (ACP) is defined as a person-centred, ongoing process of communication that facilitates patients' understanding, reflection and discussion of goals, values and preferences for future care. There is evidence for the general palliative care population that ACP increases compliance with patients’ end-of-life preferences and improves quality of care near the end of life.

Objectives
To gain insight into what is known about the use and effects of ACP in palliative care for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Methods
Four databases were searched systematically: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL. A stepwise procedure was used to identify relevant studies based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. The review included empirical quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies concerning people with ID who receive palliative care or who died non-acutely, and describing ACP. Methodological quality was graded using a critical appraisal tool.

Results
Fourteen studies were included. Most studies examined the perspective of professionals and/or relatives. None of the studies focused on the perspective of patients with ID. The studies concerned different elements of ACP, mainly decision-making and organizational policies. No effect studies were found. Obstructing factors were difficulties in recognizing palliative needs and uncertainties among relatives and professionals about their roles and tasks in ACP.
Conducive factors were good working relationships between professionals and relatives.

Conclusion
There are some indications that ACP could be useful for people with ID, but more knowledge is needed about whether and how ACP should be used.