AD

Advance directive

Using this abbreviation, instead of spelling out ‘advance directive’, risks obscuring the patient’s wishes.

An advance directive is a legal document that allows individuals to outline their preferences for medical care in case they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. It typically includes two main components:

1. Living Will: Specifies the types of medical treatments or life-sustaining measures an individual does or does not want, such as mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, or resuscitation (DNR orders).
2. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: Appoints a trusted person (healthcare proxy) to make healthcare decisions on the individual’s behalf if they are incapacitated.

Advance directives are especially important in guiding care during end-of-life situations, ensuring that a patient’s values and wishes are respected, and helping families and healthcare providers make difficult decisions with clarity and confidence.