Advance Health Directives: Competing Perceptions, Intentions and Use by Patients and Doctors in Queensland
QUT Law Review, 13(1), pp. 30-51, 2013
23 Pages Posted: 10 Jul 2016
Date Written: 2013
Abstract
This paper reports on mixed method empirical research undertaken with individuals who have completed advance health directives (‘principals’) and doctors who have either attested to the principal’s capacity when the document was completed or been called upon to use these documents in clinical settings. Principals and doctors appear to have different understandings of the purpose of these documents and their role in decision-making about medical treatment. We recommend changes to the advance health directive form in Queensland to promote informed decision-making which will help to better align perceptions of principals and doctors about the role of these documents.
Keywords: Adult guardianship, Advance health directive, Advance directive, Health law, Medical law
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