Making an advance directive

摘要

The introduction in Britain of advance directives— which allow a person to state in advance of becoming incompetent that they wish to take part in treatment decisions when no longer mentally competent—has now been advocated by the medical and legal establishments. The practical application of directives relating to health care would be simplified by the adoption of a standard model document together with guidelines summarising the background clinical conditions and any subsequent acute events that may make it appropriate to trigger the use of a directive. As no specific legislation exists, good communication is needed at the various stages between the drafting and implementation of directives if the system of directives is to be successful.