title: Making an advance directive.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000628:therapy; D011996:Records; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom