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Chapter

Chapter
Advance care planning
DOI link for Advance care planning
Advance care planning book
Advance care planning
DOI link for Advance care planning
Advance care planning book
ABSTRACT
This chapter, written for undergraduate medical students and post-graduate doctors in training, presents information on advance care planning in a general practice setting. It presents the case of a 72-year-old retired builder who was visited by a general practitioner at home to write an anticipatory care plan. Two months earlier, the patient had a severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with several admissions to the local Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) and the assessment ward within a few days. Key questions prompt the student to evaluate the patient, and reach a decision regarding their condition and the possible treatment plan. The chapter explains whether the patient a right to refuse a 'do not attempt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation' (DNACPR) order and also how the general practitioner should respond to the patient's fears that he will not be treated properly once he has a DNACPR order in place.