Are Advanced Directives Relative? The Ethics of Surrogate Decision Making

Abstract

An important aspect of medical ethics is the right to decline medical treatment. A problem is how to honor the wishes of patients who lose their voice and can no longer accept or refuse medical treatment. Although advanced directives are attempts to protect autonomy, decisions are not immutable and may be negotiated by family, loved ones, and other surrogate decision makers. Describes is a case that underscores the importance of advanced care planning, the complexity of decision making, and area for potential improvement.