Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41664091›Full record

ArticleBMC palliative care2026

Factors influencing readiness for advance care planning in dementia: a qualitative interview study.

Vera van der Nulft, Arianne Stoppelenburg, Liselotte A I Mahieu, Hinke E Hoffstädt, Jenny T van der Steen, Liesbeth M van Vliet, Yvette M van der Linden

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC palliative care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Vera van der NulftCenter of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333, The Netherlands. vvdnulft@lumc.nl.
Arianne StoppelenburgCenter of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333, The Netherlands.
Liselotte A I MahieuCenter of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333, The Netherlands.
Hinke E HoffstädtCenter of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333, The Netherlands.
Jenny T van der SteenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Liesbeth M van VlietHealth, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Yvette M van der LindenCenter of Expertise in Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333, The Netherlands.

Funding

ZonMw 10200012110006
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite its recognized importance in dementia care, advance care planning is frequently postponed. Understanding factors that support and hinder readiness (i.e., an individual’s willingness and ability to engage in advance care planning discussions) is essential, to ensure that people with dementia and their family caregivers can participate effectively in planning for future care. This study aimed to identify factors influencing readiness from the perspectives of people with dementia, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

methodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with people with dementia, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals across multiple care settings in the Netherlands. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to identify key factors influencing readiness.

resultsFor people with dementia (n = 6), readiness was facilitated by a desire for autonomy. Readiness was hindered by focusing on the present, surrendering to a perceived lack of control over the future, avoiding sensitive topics, and relying on healthcare professionals to initiate discussions. For both people with dementia and family caregivers (n = 5 family caregivers), readiness was facilitated by a desire to prepare for the future, and hindered by the complexity of advance care planning. (Lack of) collaboration and social support, previous personal experiences, and the relationship with the healthcare professional either facilitated or hindered readiness. No distinct factors were identified solely for family caregivers. Healthcare professionals (n = 13) reported factors related to individual healthcare professionals: difficulty addressing sensitive topics as hindering readiness for advance care planning, while (lack of) personal priority, (limited) education and training, and (lack of) experience either facilitated or hindered it. They also reported factors related to healthcare organizations: interprofessional cooperation and communication facilitated readiness, while (lack of) implementation leadership, (limited) time to implement advance care planning, and (limited) procedural support either facilitated or hindered readiness.

conclusionsReadiness for advance care planning in dementia is dynamic and shaped by personal, relational, and systemic factors. Addressing these factors may facilitate timely and meaningful implementation of advance care planning, ensuring future care aligns with the values and preferences of people with dementia and their families.

Indexed as

Advance Care PlanningDementiaAgedAged, 80 and overCaregiversFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsQualitative ResearchAdvance care planningAlzheimer’s diseaseCommunicationDementiaEnd of life carePalliative carePatient-centered careQualitative researchShared decision making

Identifiers

PMID41664091
PMCPMC12983640

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.