A Directive to Physicians is a legal document. It is also known as a living will and considered to be one of the most important legal documents you need to design in preparation for your future medical treatment.
What is Directive to Physicians?
It is a legal document that states your wishes about medical treatment you would like to receive in the future if you are unable to make your wishes known. It is prepared in advance as at the time of illness or injury you may not be able to express your wishes. A directive to physicians tells those who are handling your medical care how far life-saving efforts should go on your behalf.
Living Wills
An advance directive, also known as a living will is legal document that contains details about medical treatments one would like to receive in the future. It also contains information about the treatments one does not wish and details about pain management and organ donation if any. It is mostly prepared after a discussion with your family doctor.
Advantages of a Preparing Directive to Physicians
A directive to physicians will help a person to discuss his values and wishes with family and the family physician. It allows the person to make sound decisions and plan for future treatments with the help of a family doctor. By having an advanced directive, a person can ensure their medical wishes are communicated. A periodic review can be done to assure everything is being done according to your instructions.
Points that are Usually Included in a Directive to Physician Living Will
The following are all examples of the information, which can be included in a Directive to Physicians:
1. Resuscitation: Information about when and whether the patient would like to be resuscitated when the heart has stopped beating.
2. Mechanical ventilation: Information about when to take over your breathing when you’re unable to do so. Details about when and how long you need to remain on the ventilator are provided.
3. Tube feeding: Information about when you should receive food through a tube.
4. Dialysis: Some people include information about dialysis. It is a process that removes waste from your blood when the kidneys have stopped functioning.
5. Antibiotics: Information about the time up-to which you would like to receive antibiotics. Most patients do not wish to receive heavy dosage medicines during the last few days of their life.
6. Organ and tissue donations: People often also include details of organ and tissue donations in their Directive to Physicians.
As discussed above, a directive to physicians is an important document that is prepared well in advance about the treatments you would like to receive in the event you become incapacitated. Check out to create your living will today.
