What is the difference between advance care planning and advance directives?

Advance care planning  refers to “the process by which patients, together with their families and health care practitioners, consider their values and goals and articulate their preferences for future care." (Tulsky, 2005, p.360)

As a result of advance care planning an Advance Care Plan (ACP) may be developed. This usually includes some form of formal written documentation, but could also include a letter or be verbal. Part of an ACP may also be documentation around the appointment of a surrogate decision maker.

An advance directive is a type of formal written document which might be included as part of an Advance Care Plan. Some states and territories have developed legislation which ensures that documentation of a patient’s directives about their future treatment are legally binding. If these documents have been completed, the patient’s agents, next-of-kin and doctors are obliged to follow them. The power of these advance directives and conditions attached to them are specific to each state and territory.