title: The patient self-determination act and psychiatric care.
abstract: The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) has been in effect since December 1, 1991. The primary purpose of the PSDA is to promote patient awareness of advance directives. Many psychiatrists are unaware of the PSDA and its requirements or believe that the PSDA does not apply to psychiatric facilities and patients. In this article the requirements of the PSDA are reviewed. Potential applications of advance directives in psychiatric care are discussed and problem areas are identified. It is suggested that psychiatrists take an active role in the implementation of the PSDA.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hoge
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003657:Decision Making; D030881:Disclosure; D005610:Freedom; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D033222:Judicial Role; D016224:Living Wills; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014481:United States