مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري

Abstract :

Advance directive are a written statement, that appoints someone health care decisions if a person become unable to make desicions and unable to communicate (coma, etc.) his or her wishes, and/or provides intructions that describe the kind of care a person wouls want or not want under particular conditions. Many older people who has a chronic disease and comorbity fear the unknown; they fear that mistakes will be made; they fear that they will lose their indepence and die without dignity. Many old people want a more active role in selecting or consenting to treatment. Health care directive and advanced directive increases the autonomy of an individual in site of incompetence.This article defines the advance directive and health care directive, looks at the role of the health professionals in this decion-making process, describes the advance directive process, and explains some of the legal issues related to directives.