Living wills in health care: A way of empowering individuals

Advance directives are the legal document in the United States and deals with the wishes of an individual as to the choice of treatment he expects to receive sometimes in future, when he may not be able to take such decision, depending upon his mental capabilities. The living will is one such document. This is a new concept to many Pakistani physicians. This article is based upon author s views where moral values are debated and later how to develop policies and practices to be implemented are discussed in relation to our set up.