Advance Care Planning (2025-2027 Center for Older Adults)

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the face-to-face time a physician or other qualified health care professional spends with a patient, family member, or surrogate to explain and discuss advance directives. This module is intended for nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, physician associates, and social workers. Many people die in a manner they would not choose, and many find themselves having to make end-of-life decisions for a loved one without prior discussion of preferences. Every person should have the opportunity to express their wishes for end-of-life care. Documenting preferences will help the medical team respect the individual's wishes as they approach the end of life.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for physicians, physician associates, nurse practitioners, nurses, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

When you complete this module, you will be able to:

Define the 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly care and how Advance Care Planning helps align care with an individual’s end-of-life care preferences
Identify the advance directive documents and how to complete them.
Explain the components of the Texas POLST Form: A Portable Medical Order
Discuss challenges with the completion of advanced directives in those with different stages of cognitive impairment or who may be incapable of decision making.
Discuss common roles and responsibilities within the health care team for Advance Care Planning.
Review billing and coding for Advance Care Planning.

Funding

This project is supported by grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U1QHP53050. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the Health Resources and Services Administration or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. No commercial support was received for this activity.

Course summary

Available credit:

1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until August 19, 2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
1.00 ANCC
1.00 AOA Category 1-B
1.00 ASWB Credit
1.00 IPCE
1.00 HSC Participation

Course opens:

08/20/2025

Course expires:

08/19/2027

Cost:

$0.00

Rating:

Disclosures
In accordance with the appropriate accrediting bodies, all planners, teachers, and authors with control over activity content are required to disclose to the provider any relevant financial relationships (those held by the person, currently or within the last 24 months) with ineligible interests. Accredited providers are required to provide this information to learners before the start of an activity. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Division of Academic Innovation's office planning team nor the subject matter experts have anything to disclose.

Primary Authors

Sarah Ross, DO, MS, CMD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Departments of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Consultants and Reviewers

Jane Oderberg, LMSW, CDP, CADDCT
Center for Older Adults, HSC Health
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Kate Taylor, DNP, FNP-C
Assistant Dean of Clinical & Outreach Affairs
Office of the Dean, College of Nursing
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Departments of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Instructional Design
Brenda Wilson, MS, CHCP
Senior Instructional Designer
CE & Assessment Department, Division of Academic Innovation, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Course Director(s)