Integrative Review of Advance Care Planning Research in Japan

Abstract

Purpose: To review the current state and discuss future direction of research related to advance care planning (ACP) in Japan. Methods: We have conducted literature search in the Ichushi, CINAHL, and Medline database between January 2011 and November 2017 using Advance Care Planning (ACP) as a keyword. Extracted research articles were further selected using the definition of ACP by Sudore et al., and reviewed using integrative review approach. Results: Majority of selected 39 articles was descriptive studies exploring general knowledge and interests about ACP and end-of-life decision making. Although the number of studies examining prevalence or strategies to implement ACP gradually increased in later years during the search period, detail information about the definition of ACP and strategies were lacking and generalizability of the studies were limited. Conclusion: ACP research in Japan is in the burgeoning phase. Clear definition of ACP in Japanese context that will guide the research and robust and scalable research examining strategies to implement ACP is urgently needed.