The usefulness of complementary electronic anamnestic tool (CEAT) in advance care planning (ACP) in rehabilitation hospitals: practical and legal implications

The use of electronic health records (EHRs) enables advance care planning (ACP) and the management of medical units. Effective individual patient care relies on the processing of medical data within the EHR, which poses certain challenges in the patient-healthcare provider relationship. In light of this, while planning a holistic and individualized rehabilitation process in both outpatient and inpatient settings, we evaluated the usefulness of the Complementary Electronic Anamnestic Tool (CEAT), an innovative EHR tool for ACP. The aim of the study was to design and evaluate the usefulness of CEAT as an innovation in EHR for ACP. The study was conducted using the direct observation method, in accordance with the Rehabilitation Centres’ EHR procedure. A total of 129 opinions were analyzed from doctors and physiotherapists involved in the admission, treatment and monitoring of patients. The data from 86 patients (58 women, 28 men) aged 65.34 ± 10.01 (women) and 63.82 ± 12.85 (men) were analyzed. The mean, median, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values of quantitative variables were calculated. The CEAT tests demonstrated significant improvements in wellbeing, reduced musculoskeletal complaints, and changes in body weight and waist circumference ( p < 0.05). However, there was a discrepancy between the subjects’ declared participation in physical activity and the obtained results. These findings emphasise the necessity to enhance patient self-awareness and confidence in EHR processes.