The Physician’s Role in Completing Advance Directives: Ensuring Patients’ Capacity to Make Healthcare Decisions in Advance

The case of a 55-year-old female with severe asthma, psychiatric disorders & a history of suicide attempts is presented. An advance directive stated that the patient did not want intubation. However, when not depressed the patient told her physician that she wanted short-term intubation if it could return her to her normal state. After a severe attack, the woman was not intubated – following her directive, & she died. It is suggested that these patients need help to complete their directives.