Advancing advance directives

Abstract

Making an Advance Directive is becoming an important way of controlling one's own medical personal decisions and participation in treatment. As the term implies it means giving a directive (to your medical team) in advance. This is basically a document (signed or otherwise) which the person draws up when still mentally competent and given to a person who has power of attorney, usually the family doctor or a trusted relative. It is then given to the medical team taking care of the patient when the time comes so it will enable them to know what wishes the patient has regarding his or her treatment. An Advance Directive can even be given by word of mouth, but written and signed documents are always more useful and helpful for obvious reasons. It is thus also called a 'living will' or testament.