Advance Care Planning of Patients Undergoing High-Risk Surgery: A Concept Analysis

The aim of this research was to clarify the concept of advance care planning (ACP) for patients undergoing high-risk surgery. The Walker & Avant's approach to concept analysis was used. ACP for the patient who received a high-risk surgery was defined as follows: patients who are aware of the risks of surgery are initiated voluntarily with the need to participate in anticipatory decision-making. To do this, patients define their life-prolonging treatment, provided that appropriate treatment is guaranteed, and prepare for end-of-life care decisions through discussions involving healthcare providers and surrogate decision-makers. It is a continuous, patient-centered decision that allows the patient's treatment goals to transition over time. The goal of the ACP is to focus on quality of life and care rather than determining end-of-life care. The development of this concept contributes to an assessment of the value of ACP support, which can lead to improved approaches to help patients recover in a short period.