Are living wills useful? In search of a new paradigm
Manthous, C.A.
Connecticut Medicine 67(5) 283-290; Discussion: 291-292
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-6178 PMID: 12802843 Document Number: 559116
Living wills are written by patients to direct physicians and loved ones as to the medical care they want in the event of catastrophic illness that is accompanied by inability to communicate their wishes. We outline recent data suggesting that living wills are poorly understood by patients who have them and that the usefulness of these documents in the clinical arena is extremely limited. Potential solutions for current deficiencies in end-of-life care and decision-making are discussed.