title: [Ethical issues in the practice of advance directives, living wills, and self-determination in end of life care].
abstract: The Hospice-Palliative Care Act, enacted in Taiwan in 2000, was designed to respect the end of life medical wishes of patients with incurable illnesses, safeguard the rights of these patients, and provide clinical guidelines for healthcare workers responsible to provide end of life care. Self-determination is a core element of human dignity. Advance directive documents include a living will, and durable power of attorney for healthcare. This article reviews current issues and ethical dilemmas with regard to advance directives. Patients, family members, and clinicians may require better education on the Hospice-Palliative Care Act in order to respect more appropriately patient end of life medical care wishes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Taipei Medical University Hospital, and Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hui-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Huei-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jhing
authors.forename: Chia-Chin
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills / Q000941:ethics*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics*