What do advance directives allow individuals to express?

Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to express their personal preferences for medical treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate their wishes due to illness or incapacitation. These documents typically include instructions regarding specific healthcare decisions, such as whether to pursue life-sustaining treatment or to receive palliative care.

By articulating their wishes through advance directives, individuals ensure that their personal values and preferences guide their medical care, which is crucial in situations where they cannot actively participate in decision-making. This autonomy respects the individual's rights and provides clarity to healthcare providers and family members about the desired course of action in accordance with the individual's beliefs and choices.

While advance directives may support the right to refuse care, they primarily serve the purpose of detailing comprehensive medical preferences rather than simply stating a refusal of treatment. Similarly, they do not grant legal capacity for signing contracts, nor do they represent patient advocacy measures. Instead, they focus distinctly on the individual's choices regarding medical treatment preferences.