title: The limitations of advance directives and statements in mental health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Advance directives and statements in mental health are defined and the necessary conditions for making them explained. The practical limitations on their usefulness are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Legal recognition of advance directives and statements is limited. There has been little research into their use and impact on care and what little exists, is equivocal in results.
authors.affiliation: NHS Tayside, Scotland, UK. paul.hobbs@nhs.net
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hobbs
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001315:Australia; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*