Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41455955›Full record

ArticleInternational journal for equity in health2025

Barriers and facilitators to advance care planning for people with intellectual disabilities: a cross-sectional survey study of professional caregiver perspectives.

Elisabeth Lucia Zeilinger, Lena Simeoni, Theresa Wagner, Tamina-Laetitia Vielgrader, Amelie Fuchs, Tobias Fragner, Igor Grabovac, Eva Katharina Masel, Matthias Unseld

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Article in International journal for equity in health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Elisabeth Lucia ZeilingerDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, Vienna, A-1010, Austria. elisabeth.zeilinger@univie.ac.at.
Lena SimeoniDivision of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Theresa WagnerDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, Vienna, A-1010, Austria.
Tamina-Laetitia VielgraderInstitute for Ethics and Law in Medicine, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Amelie FuchsDepartment of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, Vienna, A-1010, Austria.
Tobias FragnerDepartment of Social and Preventive Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Igor GrabovacDepartment of Social and Preventive Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Eva Katharina MaselDivision of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Matthias UnseldDepartment of Clinical Research SBG, Academy for Ageing Research, Haus der Barmherzigkeit, Vienna, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) is a critical process for ensuring person-centred end-of-life care, yet it remains underutilized among people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Understanding caregivers' perspectives is essential to identify barriers and facilitators to ACP implementation and improve practice. This study aimed to examine how professional caregivers in Austria perceive and experience ACP for people with ID, including its current use, barriers, facilitators, and strategies to improve uptake.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured online form comprising multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Data were collected from 125 professional caregivers across Austria who were primary caregivers of at least one adult with ID and proficient in German. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative responses to open-ended questions were subjected to content analysis.

resultsA total of 33.6% of caregivers reported engaging in ACP discussions, with considerable barriers including cognitive and communicative challenges, emotional discomfort, and structural constraints. Facilitators included person-centred communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and targeted training. Notably, 83.2% of caregivers expressed interest in ACP training.

conclusionsACP is rarely practiced in the care of people with ID in Austria. However, caregivers identified clear pathways to improve implementation, particularly through training, use of tailored communication methods, and systemic support within care institutions. Promoting inclusive ACP practices is essential to uphold the autonomy and health equity of people with ID, ensuring their voices are heard in decisions about their future and end-of-life care.

Indexed as

Advance Care PlanningCaregiversIntellectual DisabilityAdultAgedAustriaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesTerminal CareAdvance care planningEnd-of-life careHealth equityInclusive healthcareIntellectual disabilitiesLearning disabilitiesPalliative carePerson-centred care

Identifiers

PMID41455955
PMCPMC12853855

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.