Advance care planning is the process of understanding, discussing, and documenting
medical care preferences so that future medical decisions reflect an individual’s goals, values,and medical needs.
This planning is not limited to end-of-life situations. It is an important part of comprehensive medical care for adults at many stages of life, particularly for those with chronic illness, complex medical conditions, or strong preferences about medical decision-making.
Advance care planning at Aristos Internal Medicine is a structured, educational process tailored to each patient’s experiences, health status, and priorities. It may include:
Patients are encouraged to involve family members or trusted individuals in these discussions whenever possible, as shared understanding can be critical during stressful or urgent medical situations.
When advance care planning is not completed, medical decisions are often made during emergencies by clinicians or family members who may not know a patient’s wishes. This can result in care that is misaligned with the patient’s values or goals.
Documenting preferences in advance helps ensure that:
Providing medical care that aligns with the patient’s values, goals, and priorities.
Helping families make informed healthcare choices without undue stress or pressure.
Ensuring care teams respond promptly and effectively in urgent medical situations.
Advance care planning empowers patients to retain control over their medical care even when they are unable to speak for themselves.
Effective advance care planning requires more than filling out forms. It requires education and context so that patients understand what different medical interventions mean in real-world situations.
Dr. Varner places a strong emphasis on education, helping patients understand:
This educational foundation allows patients to make informed choices rather than abstract orhypothetical ones.
Dr. Varner has worked for more than a decade as a hospitalist, caring for patients with serious illness and medical complexity in acute care settings. He is intimately familiar with how advance directives, POLST forms, and healthcare proxies are used during real medical emergencies.
This experience informs a practical, compassionate approach to advance care planning grounded in how medical decisions actually unfold in hospitals and emergency settings, not just in theory.
Advance care planning can be:
Visits may be conducted virtually or in person, depending on patient preference and clinical context. Additional time can be scheduled as needed to ensure these discussions are thoughtful and unhurried.
Advance care planning is an ongoing conversation, not a one-time task. Documents and
preferences may evolve as health status or personal circumstances change.
Aristos Internal Medicine approaches advance care planning as a collaborative process—one
designed to support clarity, reduce uncertainty, and ensure that medical care remains aligned
with each patient’s goals and values over time.
