Life Care Planning Survey 2001: Process, Methods and Protocols

Since the first published literature on life care planning in 198 l, the Life Care Plan has become an accepted tool for communicating a comprehensive plan for meeting individualized and complex service needs resulting from the onset of a disability. This specialty practice area, rooted in case management principles and frequently used in litigation settings, has expanded to such areas such as managed care, insurance reserve setting, discharge planning and elder care. With the acceptance of a formal defi nition of life care planning, standards in life care planning have ensued. Drawing on the results of the Life Care Planning Summit 2000 and advanced professional programs focused on comprehensive standards, frameworks, guidelines and criteria for life care planning, the authors conducted an on line national survey of life care planners to identify demographics, business practices, roles/functions of the life care planner, life care planning protocols and future growth/development issues. The purpose of this article is to summarize results of the survey, describe the current state of life care planning practice, protocols/procedures used by life care planners, and areas of life care planning practice where further research may be necessary. The information from this survey can be used to examine practices generally utilized by responding life care planners, to validate common methodology across disciplinary areas of preparation/experience, and to identify future research needs/areas of development. It provides a baseline for future surveys documenting the evolution of the practice of life care planning.