title: Advance directives and living wills.
abstract: Under certain circumstances, living wills or advance directives may carry legal force in the UK. This paper traces the development of advance directives, clarifies their current legal position and discusses potential problems with their use. Case histories are used to illustrate some of the common dilemmas which doctors may face.
authors.affiliation: Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, Hants, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bowker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D006113:United Kingdom