ADVANCE HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES: IMPLEMENTING FOR PATIENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Course overview

An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that allows an individual to identify his/her wishes regarding medical care in the future, including who will provide care, who can access his/her medical records, what medical treatment he/she wishes to receive, and what medical treatment he/she does not wish to receive. Advance healthcare directives are most often implemented at the end of life and can focus on treatment (e.g., a living will) or designation of another person to make medical decisions on the patient’s behalf if the patient is unable to do so (e.g., a durable power of attorney or healthcare proxy). This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of relevant research on the general principles of implementing an advance directive for patients with mental health disorders, including why this is performed, how to implement an advance directive, and information to provide to the patient’s family. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.