Do you feel prepared to have advance care planning (ACP) conversations with individuals and their families? Do you want to learn more about how to help people make informed future healthcare choices?
Respecting Choices® has the tools to help you.
Our affordable online curriculum teaches time-tested ways of preparing people to facilitate meaningful and effective ACP conversations.
Building Physician Skills in Basic ACP – Online Course
This three-module online curriculum is intended to build person-centered advance care planning (ACP) skills of physicians and advanced practitioners. The overall goal of this curriculum is to assist physicians in identifying practical steps to integrate basic ACP into their everyday practice, especially for patients who have not started the planning process. Each module builds incrementally toward this goal. Modules 1 and 2 provide foundational skills to introduce ACP, motivate patients to participate, and guide and document these essential conversations. Module 3 identifies several key strategies for integrating ACP into the routines of patient care, including ACP billing.
Statement of Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Wisconsin Medical Society and Respecting Choices, A Division of C-TAC Innovations. The Wisconsin Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. ABIM MOC Part II Credits awarded only upon completion of all 3 modules.
For individuals interested in completing Respecting Choices online modules without pursuing Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator certification, the following retail products are available:
Module 1: First Steps® Advance Care Planning Facilitation Overview
Lesson Title:
First Steps Advance Care Planning Facilitation Overview
Lesson Description:
The goal of this lesson is to provide the learner with an overview of the First Steps Advance Care Planning (ACP) facilitation process. This overview will include the basic components and goals of the process, as well as a description of the Respecting Choices® staged approach to ACP. Learners will also be introduced to the responsibilities they will have as an ACP Facilitator and the strategies they can use to create a written advance directive that is clear, accurate and complete.
Objectives:
As a result of completing this lesson, the learner will be able to:
Describe the three components of the ACP process (i.e., understanding, reflection, and discussion).
Describe the Respecting Choices staged approach to ACP.
List the goals of First Steps ACP.
Identify responsibilities of the First Steps ACP Facilitator.
Identify three strategies to create a written advance directive that is clear, accurate, and complete.
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards certification as ACP Facilitators (i.e. First Steps, Next Steps, and Advanced Steps). This online course is a pre-requisite for those intending to complete their certification by attending Respecting Choices First Steps, Next Steps, or Advanced Steps ACP certification classroom courses.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit www.respectingchoices.org.
Continuing Education:
1.75 CH (nursing)
1.75 CEH (social work)
Module 2: Facilitating First Steps® Advance Care Planning Conversations
Lesson Title:
Facilitating First Steps – ACP Conversations
Lesson Description:
The purpose of this lesson is to prepare individuals to become Advance Care Planning (ACP) Facilitators. The lesson provides an overview of advance care planning, outlines the first steps involved with making an advance care plan, provides learners with strategies for motivating individuals to make advance care plans, and presents a variety of scenarios and role-play opportunities that allow the learners to practice their facilitation skills.
Objectives:
As a result of completing this lesson, the learner will be able to:
Explain ACP to individuals who lack understanding.
Assist individuals with the three decisions involved in First Steps ACP.
List strategies to motivate individuals to participate in ACP.
Develop strategies for involving healthcare agents in ACP conversations.
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards certification as ACP Facilitators (i.e. First Steps, Next Steps, and Advanced Steps). This online course is a pre-requisite for those intending to complete their certification by attending Respecting Choices® First Steps, Next Steps, or Advanced Steps ACP certification classroom courses.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit www.respectingchoices.org.
Continuing Education:
2.0 CH (nursing)
2.0 CEH (social work)
Module 3: Facilitating First Steps® Advance Care Planning Conversations with Adults with Chronic Illness
Lesson Title:
Facilitating First Steps Advance Care Planning with Adults with Chronic Illness
Lesson Description:
The goal of this lesson is to provide the learner with strategies to incorporate First Steps Advance Care Planning (ACP) into the routine care management of adults with chronic illness. The learner will also be introduced to their responsibility to identify gaps in individuals’ knowledge and provide them with needed information and referrals. The lesson will also demonstrate how to use a decision-making framework to assist individuals in making informed treatment decisions and how to create strategies to ensure that the individual’s plan is followed.
Objectives:
As a result of completing this lesson, the learner will be able to:
Identify strategies to include First Steps ACP into the routine care management of adults with chronic illness
Assist adults with chronic illness in clarifying their goals for living well, and identifying fears and worries
Use a decision-making framework to assist individuals in making informed treatment decisions (e.g., CPR)
Create strategies to ensure an individual’s plan is followed
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those Individuals who are working towards certification as ACP Facilitators (i.e. First Steps, Next Steps, and Advanced Steps). This online course is a pre-requisite for those intending to complete their certification by attending Respecting Choices First Steps, Next Steps, or Advanced Steps ACP certification classroom courses.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit respectingchoices.org.
Continuing Education:
1.5 CH (nursing)
1.5 CEH (social work)
Module 4: Communication Skills for Facilitating Advance Care Planning Conversations
Lesson Title:
Respecting Choices: Communication Skills for Facilitating Advance Care Planning Conversations
Lesson Description:
The goal of this Respecting Choices® lesson is to identify essential interview skills and communication techniques that lead to high quality and effective person and family centered ACP conversations.
Objectives:
As a result of completing this lesson, the learner will be able to:
Identify and apply the following general interview skills to enhance the ACP conversation
Explore the meaning of words and phrases
Paraphrase/clarify
Listen for themes that relate to ACP
Ask, “Anything else?”
Affirm/reaffirm the purpose of the conversation
Verbalize empathy
Identify and apply the following additional communication techniques
Teach Back technique to assess understanding
Non-verbal communication
Value-neutral communication
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards certification as ACP Facilitators (i.e. First Steps, Next Steps, and Advanced Steps). This online course is a pre-requisite for those intending to complete their certification by attending Respecting Choices First Steps, Next Steps, or Advanced Steps ACP certification classroom courses.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit respectingchoices.org.
Continuing Education:
1.0 CH (nursing)
1.0 CEH (social work)
Module 5: Facilitating Advanced Steps Advance Care Planning Conversations
Lesson Title:
Facilitating Advanced Steps Advance Care Planning (ACP) Conversations
Lesson Description:
The purpose of this lesson is to prepare individuals to become Advanced Steps Advance Care Planning Facilitators. This lesson provides an overview of the Advanced Steps stage of planning, including the key features of a POLST program. It also provides learners with strategies to use when preparing for an Advanced Steps ACP conversation, as well as those to use during an Advanced Steps ACP conversation to ensure that an individual’s goals, values, fears and concerns are identified, they are adequately assisted in making treatment decisions consistent with their goals of care and that strategies are created to ensure that their plan is honored. Furthermore, this lesson provides learners with a variety of scenarios and role-play opportunities so that they can practice their facilitation skills.
Objectives:
As a result of completing this lesson, the learner will be able to:
Describe the Advanced Steps ACP stage of planning
Identify key features of a POLST program
Prepare for an Advanced Steps ACP conversation
Explore experiences and the concept of living well to identify an individual’s goals, values, fears, and concerns
Assist individuals in making treatment decisions consistent with their goals of care
Create strategies to ensure the POLST plan is honored
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards certification as ACP Facilitators (i.e. First Steps®, Next Steps, and Advanced Steps): This online course is a pre-requisite for those intending to complete their certification by attending Respecting Choices® First Steps®, Next Steps, or Advanced Steps ACP certification classroom courses.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit respectingchoices.org.
Continuing Education:
1.75 CH (nursing)
1.75 CEH (social work)
Module 6: Facilitating Next Steps Advance Care Planning Conversations
Lesson Title:
Facilitating Next Steps Advance Care Planning (ACP) Conversations
Lesson Description:
The goal of this lesson is to provide the learner with strategies for facilitating Next Steps ACP conversations. This lesson will describe the Next Steps ACP stage of planning and identify the key features of the Next Steps ACP conversation. Learners will identify strategies to explore hope, assist individuals in using disease-specific information in making informed treatment decisions, and define their goals of care should complications from their illness occur.
Objectives:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards certification as ACP Facilitators (i.e. First Steps, Next Steps, and Advanced Steps). This online course is a pre-requisite for those intending to complete their certification by attending Respecting Choices® First Steps, Next Steps, or Advanced Steps ACP certification classroom courses.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit https://respectingchoices.org.
Continuing Education:
1.75 CH (nursing)
1.75 CEH (social work)
Building Physician Skills in Basic ACP – Module 1
Lesson Title:
Basic ACP: Introduce and Motivate
Lesson Description:
The purpose of this module is to identify the role of physicians and advanced practitioners in introducing patients to basic ACP and motivating them to participate.
Objectives:
At the completion of this module, physicians and advance practitioners will be able to:
Identify opportunities to introduce basic ACP in their practice for patients who have not started, or engaged in, the planning process
Use communication skills and motivational strategies to increase patient participation in basic ACP
Create a follow up plan for patients to have ongoing ACP conversations and complete their advance directive
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards identifying practical steps to integrate basic ACP into their everyday practice, especially for patients who have not started the planning process.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit https://respectingchoices.org/types-of-curriculum-and-certification/facilitator-certification/
Statement of Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Wisconsin Medical Society and Respecting Choices, A Division of C-TAC Innovations. The Wisconsin Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement
The Wisconsin Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Building Physician Skills in Basic ACP – Module 2
Lesson Title:
Basic ACP: Guide and Document
Lesson Description:
The purpose of this module is to build physicians’ and advanced practitioners’ skills in guiding and documenting ACP conversations.
Objectives:
At the completion of this module, physicians and advance practitioners will be able to:
Guide a basic ACP conversation with patients and their healthcare agents
Assist patients and their healthcare agents in discussing the three purposes of basic ACP
Help patients create a written advance directive that reflects their goals, values, and preferences
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards identifying practical steps to integrate basic ACP into their everyday practice, especially for patients who have not started the planning process.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit https://respectingchoices.org/types-of-curriculum-and-certification/facilitator-certification/
Statement of Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Wisconsin Medical Society and Respecting Choices, A Division of C-TAC Innovations. The Wisconsin Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement
The Wisconsin Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Building Physician Skills in Basic ACP – Module 3
Lesson Title:
Beyond the Conversation: Integrating ACP into Practice
Lesson Description:
The purpose of this module is to identify what additional information is needed for physicians and advanced practitioners to successfully integrate and bill for ACP in their practice.
Objectives:
At the completion of this module, physicians and advance practitioners will be able to:
Describe the steps to design a Basic ACP program
Apply strategies to develop a Basic ACP program
List the key components needed to bill for ACP conversations
Target Audience:
This online course is intended for two groups:
Those individuals who are working towards identifying practical steps to integrate basic ACP into their everyday practice, especially for patients who have not started the planning process.
Those individuals interested in learning about the Respecting Choices approach to ACP Facilitation. Completion of this online course does not qualify as certification as a Respecting Choices ACP Facilitator. To learn how to become certified as a Respecting Choices Facilitator, please visit https://respectingchoices.org/types-of-curriculum-and-certification/facilitator-certification/
Statement of Accreditation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Wisconsin Medical Society and Respecting Choices, A Division of C-TAC Innovations. The Wisconsin Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
AMA Credit Designation Statement
The Wisconsin Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
After completion of each online module and the evaluation, you will receive access to print a continuing education (CE) certificate specific to the online module completed. Visit our Continuing Education page for more details, such as accreditation statements and disclosures.
Additional Education/Recommended Reading included with the online modules
