Many doctors, knowing the limits of modern medicine, take measures to stop themselves from receiving aggressive and futile treatments as they approach the end of life.
They do this by completing an advance directive.
According to one study, 64% of doctors had an advance directive, compared to only about 20% of the general public.
By making an advance directive, you can express a very specific view about a particular medical treatment which you do not want to have.
The good news is you don't have to be a doctor to make an Advance Directive. Find out more here.
*Gallo JJ, Straton, JB, Klag, MJ, Meoni LA, Sulmasy DP, Wang N, Ford DE (2003) Life-Sustaining Treatments: What Do Physicians Want and Do They Express Their Wishes to Others? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, July issue.
