title: [Experience assisting an AIDS-infected homosexual patient and his same-sex partner make a do-not-resuscitate decision].
abstract: Family members play an important role in the process of writing advance directives. Homosexual men infected with HIV often wish to authorize their intimate same-sex partner or friends rather than immediate family members to make medical decisions on their behalf. Although same-sex marriage is currently illegal in Taiwan, HIV infected homosexual patients are able to write advance directives appointing their same-sex partner to be their surrogate decision maker for end-of-life medical decisions. This case report describes an experience assisting a homosexual patient with HIV to write his advance directives. The nurse assisted the patient and his partner to make a self-determined decision not to resuscitate. Family conferences held to discuss the patient's decisions regarding resuscitation helped legitimize his partner's primary role in making end-of-life healthcare decisions on his behalf. As an advocate for patient rights, nurses should understand the law as it relates to homosexuality and end-of-life decision making, inform patients on the durable power of autonomy, and help execute their advance directives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shu-Jang
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Pei-Yu
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Siao-Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.forename: Wen-Chien
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Nai-Ying
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D003657:Decision Making; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*