title: Oncology patients and the living will.
abstract: The Patient Self-Determination Act now requires hospitals, nursing homes, and health maintenance organizations to ask patients if they have executed and are in possession of a living will. This article provides a brief historical perspective of what living wills are, how patient autonomy has contributed to their existence, and what distinguishes a living will from a durable power of attorney for health care. Included are working examples of these advance directives and a description of the University of Kansas Cancer Unit's positive experience with living wills. The final section discusses the meaning of certain pivotal terms, looks at the current under-utilization of living wills, and closes with an examination of the Blackhall thesis of futility.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016414:Resuscitation Orders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012803:Sick Role; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*