Medical directives (also known as advance directives or living wills) are documents in which a person states in advance their wishes regarding the type of medical care and treatment they wish to receive—or refuse—should they become unable to make decisions for themselves due to illness, severe injury, or loss of mental capacity. Their purpose is to ensure that healthcare decisions respect the patient's autonomy and personal values when the patient is unable to communicate them.
Medical directives (also known as advance directives or living wills) are documents in which a person states in advance their wishes regarding the type of medical care and treatment they wish to receive—or refuse—should they become unable to make decisions for themselves due to illness, severe injury, or loss of mental capacity. Their purpose is to ensure that healthcare decisions respect the patient's autonomy and personal values when the patient is unable to communicate them.
