Danish consensus and definition for Advance Care Planning (ACP)

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to reach national consensus on a Danish term for Advance Care Planning (ACP) and to translate the English definition into Danish using an internationally accepted method. Background: Interest exists in incorporating ACP into Danish health care. However, confusion about the concept has limited the implementation, and ACP has no official Danish term or definition. Methods: Two sub-studies were conducted: a Delphi study to reach consensus on a Danish term for ACP, and a systematic forward-backward translation procedure to reach a Danish definition on ACP. Results In the Delphi study, mails were sent to relevant Danish organisations and interested persons to reach a ‘snowball effect’ and obtain as many suggestions as possible for a Danish term for ACP. An expert panel (29 persons) evaluated 78 unique suggestions for terms in nine Delphi rounds. When 19 suggestions were left, an online meeting was held in the expert panel to discuss desirable characteristics for the future term before the Delphi rounds continued until one term was selected. In the 10th round, an abbreviation of the Danish term for ACP was chosen. In the systematic forward-backward translation procedure, changes to the wording were made and documented in five steps. A primary focus was placed on ensuring loyalty to the source text while adapting to cultural norms. Conclusion A Danish consensus term for ACP was reached, and a structured and culturally adapted definition was made. This work may serve as a foundation to ensure alignment of term and definition of ACP to support the implementation of ACP in the Danish healthcare system.