Advance care planning in chronic disease: finding the known in the midst of the unknown

People are living longer lives with a greater burden of disease. Diseases which contribute significantly to this burden are chronic kidney disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Technologies exist that can sustain life for patients with these disease, however patients and their families/loved ones need to know the likely outcome of their disease, its course, and all management options. Advance care planning (ACP) can assist with this process as well as ensuring that patients, families, and health care teams are aware of what treatment a patient wants—or does not want. ACP also enables the appointment of a decision maker to act on behalf of the patient should they lose capacity to make medical decisions. This chapter discusses the benefits of ACP and why it needs to be introduced early in the course of any life-limiting illness.