patients and families for progressing illness and future decision-making.The POD Model frames preparing or deciding as mutually exclusive, contrasting many clinicians who conflate the two and rely on ACP (preparing) for decision-making about interventions that may or may not be offered. This approach is ineffective; advance directives frequently fail to guide decisionmaking or improve the delivery of goal-consistent care. Despite jurisdictional differences in clinical and legal frameworks that support serious illness decision making, the POD Model applies universally, is applicable in every care setting and to all healthcare practitioners. Discussion The POD Model guides clinicians to support decision-making when appropriate, and otherwise understand that conversations addressing serious illness are to prepare. When clinicians better understand their role in serious illness communication, individuals and systems can more effectively move improvement efforts forward.
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