Thailand's experience in Advance Care Planning

Abstract

In 2007, Thailand enacted the National Health Act, which contains the Advance Directive (Section 12). Even though the Act was enacted nearly sixteen years ago, physicians have not fully adopted it, limiting the number of patients who can benefit from the Advance Directive. Thai culture values the role of extended family in end-of-life planning, which is frequently marked by a conspiracy of silence (inability to discuss end-of-life issues), so patients may have limited opportunities to participate in decision-making and care planning. Thailand introduced a Palliative Care Policy in 2014. The inclusion of palliative care in the health service plan is the most crucial factor for palliative care provision. Through health inspections, the Ministry of Public Health supervises, monitors, and evaluates the management of the National Palliative Care Program. Advance Care Planning (ACP) and three other major KPIs were to be included in health inspections by 2020. In 2021, the Office of the National Health Commission implemented ACP, including the formation of (a) a committee to create a national ACP form and standard operating procedures and (b) a steering committee to oversee the nationwide implementation of ACP.