Determining the validity of advance directives.

Journal article

We examine the ethical principles underpinning advance directives (ADs) and the legal duties of doctors in determining their validity. A physician attending an incompetent patient with an acute life-threatening illness, and an AD refusing treatment, should ensure that the AD is legally valid before making the treatment decision. Treatment against a patient's wishes, as expressed in a valid AD, compromises patient autonomy and may constitute battery. Conversely, withholding treatment in accord...

Expand abstract

Authors: Biegler, P; Stewart, C; Savulescu, J; Skene, L

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Medical journal of Australia
• Volume: 172
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 545-548
• Publication date: 2000-06-01
• EISSN: 1326-5377
• ISSN: 0025-729X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Advance Directives; Treatment Refusal; Humans; Physicians; Decision Making; Malpractice; Mental Competency; Australia; Acute Disease; Freedom; Ethics, Medical