Advance directives: do they work?

Emanuel, L L · J Am Coll Cardiol · 1995

review · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Advance directives have been widely endorsed, and empiric work has taken place that can aid clinicians in the appropriate use of validated documents. This report reviews philosophic and methodologic issues and offers practical illustrations. Despite the evidence that advance directives can work, there are serious barriers to their actual use. Therefore, these barriers are evaluated and potential solutions suggested.

Medical subject headings