Background: A range of polices, documentation, and practices are associated with advance care planning. However, there is a shortage of research to understand advance care planning from a professional viewpoint.
Aims: To explore the views and experiences of health professionals of the advance care planning process with children and young people.
Methods: An online questionnaire was used to collect data, which were analysed thematically.
Findings: Key findings related to barriers and facilitators to initiating and documenting advance care planning: understanding the process and the condition of the patient; how advance care planning works in practice; and access to relevant, affordable training options.
Conclusion: Additional training and standardised documentation can help support the initiation and use of advance care planning, reduce misperceptions, and generate greater confidence in participating in the process. A larger multidisciplinary team, with better communication, will support improved relationships between professionals which will filter down to the families.
Keywords: Adolescent; Advance care planning; Child; Health professionals; Personnel; Questionnaires.