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Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: AHDs in mental health are fundamental tools in advance care planning processes. It is an important method for involving mental healthcare users in clinical decisions and in providing effective healthcare based around user preferences.AHDs can be applied in situations in which the person may forfeit their legal capacity, according to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.However, the use of AHDs as described above is not yet a reality in Spain. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: The present study surveys the knowledge and attitudes of mental healthcare providers towards AHDs in clinical practice.Although providers had a moderate–low level of knowledge about AHDs, they presented positive attitudes towards them. What are the implications for practice?: The use of AHDs in mental healthcare practice poses challenges to the Spanish mental healthcare system. Acquiring up‐to‐date data on the knowledge and attitudes of providers towards AHDs allows organizations to address aspects of their service that require reinforcement. This data could also be used by other countries just starting to use AHDs, as an initial step towards supporting the implementation of a multistage intervention process.More in‐depth training for providers would help improve their competence to implement or honour the statements set out in AHDs, the related legal and ethical issues, and liability issues related to their implementation.The Spanish mental healthcare system requires structural changes so that providers can embrace new ways of relating to users and to organize partnerships and a continuity of care centred on user preferences. Introduction: Advance healthcare directives (AHDs) in mental health offer important information regarding service users' preferences. However, whether AHDs are truly understood by providers is questionable. Aim: To survey the knowledge and attitudes of mental health professionals towards AHDs and examine any associations with sociodemographic and occupational variables. Method: We cross‐sectionally surveyed the knowledge and attitudes of 113 mental health professionals by using two validated questionnaires. Results: Participants showed very positive attitudes and high levels of knowledge about the conceptual definition and application of AHDs in clinical practice but their knowledge of the legalities, procedure and registration of AHDs was poor. Working in a community, having a career specializing in mental health or having personally signed an AHD was associated with enhanced knowledge about them. Moreover, female sex or employment as an auxiliary nursing‐care technician was associated with stronger positive attitudes. Discussion: Legal and structural changes will be needed to implement AHDs in Spain and to promote competence among healthcare providers in order to include AHDs in everyday practice. Implications for practice: The Spanish mental healthcare system requires legal and structural changes and must improve healthcare providers' competence in AHDs before they are implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: Advance care planning (ACP) in mental health is a useful tool to avoid human rights violations in mental health settings. However, ACP is not yet a reality in the Spanish context.The advance healthcare directive (AHD) is a document reflecting healthcare preferences, drafted within the framework of the ACP process, to be applied in situations in which an individual's legal capacity may be questionable.No study has explored the viewpoint of Spanish mental healthcare professionals towards AHDs in the mental health field. Considering their extensive use, further study of providers' knowledge and attitudes is warranted. What does the paper add to existing knowledge?: The study adds knowledge about the viewpoint of Spanish mental healthcare professionals towards the implementation of AHDs in their clinical practices.This study illuminates the prevailing paternalistic provider–user relationship as the main barrier surrounding AHD management in terms of decision‐making.Our findings support the need for broader awareness, staff training regarding the documentation, the conversation process and communication skills, and personalized assistance in the mental health services to implement AHDs in everyday practice. What are the implications for practice?: Advance healthcare directives are a recovery tool that offers major information regarding mental health user preferences. Although they pose challenges for clinical practice, AHDs should be incorporated into interventional mental health care.Obtaining up‐to‐date perspectives held by mental healthcare professionals regarding AHDs allows the administration to determine the aspects requiring reinforcement.The implementation of AHDs in the Spanish mental health system requires macro‐ and micro‐changes, both ethically and structurally, so that mental healthcare professionals relinquish their paternalistic approach and embrace new ways of relating to users. Introduction: An advance healthcare directive (AHD) is a written document that contains a patient‐in‐care's will and preferences concerning the treatment options available to them, should they lack decision‐making capacity. AHDs are completed within a broader framework known as advance care planning. No study has explored the viewpoint of Spanish mental healthcare professionals towards AHDs. Aim: To explore the viewpoint of mental health professionals towards the implementation of AHDs in mental health. Method: A qualitative study was conducted using semi‐structured interviews that were thematically analysed. Findings: Three main themes were identified: care planning culture; barriers for the practical management of AHDs; and reasons to not honour patient‐in‐care AHDs. Discussion: Professionals find it pragmatically difficult to stop applying traditional paternalistic practices. To implement AHDs, improving the knowledge and awareness of AHDs and management of non‐technical skills through training is required. Such training should include users and families and allow for compliance with United Nations requirements. Implications for practice: Advance healthcare directives offer important information regarding user preferences, although they pose challenges for practices. Acquiring an up‐to‐date perspective on the attitudes of professionals towards AHDs allows organizations to attend to particular aspects that require reinforcement. Wider awareness, staff training and new ways of relating to users are necessary to implement AHDs in Spanish context. Relevance statement: A better understanding of the attitudes of Spanish mental health professionals towards AHDs was achieved. Despite the implementation of AHDs being an important and potentially beneficial initiative, mental health professionals find many pragmatic issues that need addressing before AHDs become a reality in their clinical practice. Wider awareness, staff training, personalized assistance and new ways of relating to users are required to implement AHDs in everyday practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]