title: The similarities between birth plans and living wills.
abstract: Birth plans and living wills are both advance directives that promote individualized care and improved outcomes for individuals and their families.
authors.affiliation: NAYNA PHILIPSEN is Director of Education, Examination, Research, and Communication for the Maryland Board of Nursing. She is also a health educator at St. Agnes HealthCare in Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Nayna C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Philipsen
authors.forename: Dorothy R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Haynes