Medical Directive Basics

Medical directives are also called physician directives or living wills. A medical directive is an advance medical instruction. It is your individual written statement of what life-sustaining medical treatments (if any) will be allowed or refused in the event you should enter into a persistent vegetative state (coma) or develop a terminal medical condition. For example, you may request that artificial nourishment and hydration be withheld if you become terminally ill without hope of recovery.

The directive is used only if you have a terminal condition (documented by your physician) where life-sustaining treatment would only serve to artificially prolong the process of dying. Many directives provide that two physicians verify your condition and that they believe there is no reasonable hope of your recovery. In either situation, the directive spells out very specific treatments that are allowed to be used, or prohibited, so that you may die naturally. Almost all people allow for the use of pain medication in their medical directive. Many people provide that water or ice chips be allowed.

If you are at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and acting on your own free will, you may sign and execute a medical directive concerning your own care. Before signing a medical directive, you should ask advice from those around you that you trust. Speak to your doctor about a medical directive. Your doctor may have a blank form for you to use or to use as a guide.

You do not need to inform anyone that you have executed a medical directive, but it is highly advised that you share the document with your doctor and your family. Ask that it be made part of your medical record.

You can revoke a medical directive by destroying the document or executing a new one that includes the language “this medical directive supersedes all previous medical directives.”

Disclaimer of Liability: This information is only provided to increase awareness of issues surrounding Medical Directives. While the information provided is about legal issues, it is not legal advice or legal representation.