Are living wills useful? In search of a new paradigm.
Living wills are written by patients to direct physicians and loved ones as to the medical care they want in the event of catastrophic illness that is accompanied by inability to communicate their wishes. We outline recent data suggesting that living wills are poorly understood by patients who have them and that the usefulness of these documents in the clinical arena is extremely limited. Potential solutions for current deficiencies in end-of-life care and decision-making are discussed.
Manthous
Constantine A
CA
Bridgeport Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, CT, USA. pcmant@bpthosp.org
D003237:Connecticut; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills / Q000523:psychology* / Q000639:trends; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*