This course provides the foundation, or First Steps®, for weaving advance care planning (ACP) discussions into the routine of good patient care and preventative healthcare for all adults. The course consists of four components -
- Online ACP Course
- Facilitator Fertification
- Design and Implementation
- Instructor Certification
When integrated in the outpatient or community setting and early in the course of healthcare, Respecting Choices (RC) First Steps ACP discussions help to normalize the concept of planning, and orient individuals to the importance of regular review and update of written plans as necessary.
The course includes interview skills training and education principles to prepare the RC First Steps ACP Facilitators and Instructors with the necessary competencies for engaging in ACP discussions and education. The course also focuses on organization and community processes that support and sustain advance care planning: creating awareness, identifying the population, facilitating the planning, and storage and retrieval of documents.
First Steps ACP Facilitator Certification (Day 1)
This program is intended for healthcare providers (nurses, all levels of social workers, and physicians), clergy, and others involved in providing ACP assistance. The purpose of this program is to assist participants in learning the communication and interview skills for patient-centered ACP facilitation.
Objectives
1. Identify interview skills for Frist Steps ACP discussions.
2. Identify interview skills for First Steps ACP for adults with chronic illness.
3. Describe strategies for creating a clear, thorough, and accurate advance directive document.
4. Identify strategies for community engagement.
5. Examine three key systems for building an effective ACP program.
6. Demonstrate beginning competency in facilitating basic ACP discussions through role-play activities.
Prerequisite: Respecting Choices online ACP facilitator course (included in registration fee), a series of six modules designed to prepare the participant for a robust classroom experience.
Design and Implementation (Day 2)
This program is intended for healthcare and community leaders (administrators, managers, program directors and others) and intermediate to advanced level social work practitioners who are interested in implementing an effective ACP program within their organization or community.
Objectives
1. Discuss the cultural issues in changing the practice of ACP.
2. Describe the four key elements and related strategies in designing an effective ACP program.
3. Identify strategies to address the ACP needs of diverse communities.
4. Participate in dialogue to begin to design an ACP pilot implementation plan.
First Steps ACP Instructor Certification (Day 3)*
This program is intended for healthcare educators, community leaders, and intermediate to advanced social workers interested in becoming certified to replicate the First Steps ACP Facilitator Certification course in their own community. The purpose of this program is to assist participants in becoming certified as Respecting Choices First Steps ACP instructors.
*Registration requirements. In order to attend First Steps ACP Instructor Certification, the healthcare or community organization(s) the instructor candidate represents (or instructors themselves, if attending independently) must commit through a written agreement to replicate the standardized RC First Steps ACP Facilitator curriculum. Please contact Matthew Isbell at 800-362-9567, ext. 54887 or mrisbell@gundluth.org for more information.
Objectives
1. Define common strategies for teaching the Respecting Choices First Steps ACP Facilitator Certification Course
2. Facilitate a brief discussion on a selected advance care planning topic.
3. Demonstrate advance care planning facilitation skills through a selected role-play.
4. Complete the First Steps Instructor certification exam.
Prerequisite: Respecting Choices ACP online facilitator curriculum (included in registration fee), First Steps Facilitator Certification Course (Day 1), and Design and Implementation Course (Day 2).
If you have any questions or concerns about this course, require special assistance or accommodations, or have special dietary needs or food allergies, please contact respectingchoices@gundluth.org.
To find out how to bring the First Steps ACP Organization and Community Course to your facility, please contact Matthew Isbell at 800-362-9567, ext. 54887, or mrisbell@gundluth.org
