Which strategies promote anticipatory care planning?

• A. Early goals-of-care discussions, advance directives, and regular reassessment of goals.
• B. Delaying goals-of-care discussions until a crisis occurs.
• C. Focusing only on treatment options without considering preferences.
• D. Avoiding any documentation of goals.

Answer: (A)

Anticipatory care planning hinges on proactive, ongoing conversations about what matters most to the patient, documenting those preferences, and revisiting them as health status evolves. Early goals-of-care discussions give patients the chance to express their values and desired outcomes while they are able to participate in decisions. Advance directives capture those preferences in a formal, accessible way that can guide care even if the patient can’t speak for themselves later. Regular reassessment keeps the plan aligned with changing conditions, new treatments, and shifting priorities, ensuring care remains consistent with the patient’s wishes over time.

Delaying discussions until a crisis often leads to interventions that may not reflect what the patient would have chosen and can create stress and regret. Focusing only on treatment options without integrating patient preferences risks delivering care that isn’t aligned with what matters most to them. Avoiding any documentation makes it difficult for clinicians to honor wishes when decisions need to be made quickly.

By combining early conversations, clear documentation, and ongoing review, anticipatory care planning best supports patient-centered care across the trajectory of illness.