For many reasons, people may not be in a position to make decisions about their own medical treatment, at the time those decisions need to be made. This can happen if the person is very ill, confused or unconscious. Others will need to make decisions on the patient’s behalf. If the choices that the patient would have made themselves are not known, the risk is that those making the decisions may choose treatments that the patient would not have chosen.
Others, such as family or friends, no matter how well meaning, may end up making decisions that are not consistent with what the patient would have wanted.
For this reason, some patients choose to document their health care wishes in an ‘Advance Care Plan' (ACP). This is a plan that would only be used if the patient is unable to speak for themselves in decision-making about their medical care.
Learn more about Advance Care Planning by following the links below:
