I. Introduction

A. Definition of Life Care Planning

The Life Care Plan is a dynamic document based upon published standards of practice, comprehensive assessment, data analysis and research, which provides an organized, concise plan for current and future needs with associated cost for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic health care needs.

B. Historical Perspective

The development of a comprehensive plan of care has always been considered an integral part of the medical and rehabilitation process. This type of plan has historically been used by multiple disciplines. Rehabilitation professionals create a rehabilitation plan. Nurses develop a nursing care plan. Physicians define a medical treatment plan, and other professions develop plans specific to their practice. Pursuant to rapid growth in medical technology and an increased emphasis on the cost of care, including concepts of managed care, information regarding the specific cost of care has become an increasingly important aspect of health care. This process of developing a comprehensive plan and delineating costs has evolved over an extensive period of time and is now utilized by case managers, counselors, and other professionals in many sectors. This concept represents an acceptable and pragmatic approach to the delivery of services within myriad sectors of the health care delivery system.

The concept of Rehabilitation/Life Care Plans has been utilized in a variety of health care and legal settings to provide information and documentation regarding the cost of services related to long-term care. These plans are also provided as valuable tools for rehabilitation planning, geriatric services implementation, management of health care resources, discharge planning, educational planning, and long-term managed care, among other areas.

 

C. Transdisciplinary Perspective

Life Care Planning is a transdisciplinary specialty practice. Each profession brings to the process of Life Care Planning practice standards which must be adhered to by the individual professional, and these standards remain applicable while the practitioner engages in Life Care Planning activities. Each professional works within specific standards of practice for their discipline to assure accountability, provide direction, and mandate responsibility for the standards for which they are accountable. These include, but are not limited to, activities related to quality of care, qualifications, collaboration, law, ethics, advocacy, resource utilization, and research. Moreover, each individual practitioner is responsible for following the Standards of Practice for Life Care Planning in addition to the standards for the qualifying profession.

In addition, the individual practitioner must examine their qualifications as applied to each individual case. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the medical diagnosis, disability and long-term care considerations, by virtue of education and experience, is a necessary component of the practitioner's competency for each individual case.

 

D. Education/Preparation/Certification

The Life Care Planner must:

1. Possess the appropriate educational requirements as defined by their professional standards; e.g., nurses should possess the requirements to acquire licensure, rehabilitation counselors should possess the requisite Masters Degree, and other health professionals should possess the required degree for their field.

2. Maintain current professional licensure or National Board Certification within a professional health care discipline.

3. Demonstrate completion of an accredited program in nursing or a baccalaureate or higher level educational program in a professional health care field. Fields may include, but not be limited to, nursing, rehabilitation counseling, medicine, physical, occupational or speech therapy, or psychology.

4. Demonstrate professional discipline provides sufficient education and training to assure that the Life Care Planner has an understanding of human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, the health care delivery system, the role and function of various health care professionals, and clinical practice guidelines and standards of care.

5. Participate in specific continuing education, required to maintain the individual practitioner's licensure or certification within their profession.

6. Obtain continuing education and/or training to remain current in the knowledge and skills in the field.