The New York Times (12/3, Belluck) reports that more and more, patients, mental health advocates and physicians believe psychiatric advance directives (PADs) “could help transform the mental health system by allowing patients to shape their care even when they lose touch with reality.” In addition, PADs “offer a middle path by allowing patients to designate family members to speak for them when they’re too sick to do so themselves.” Some physicians “and hospitals are wary that the documents could tie their hands and discourage treatment they consider warranted,” while others “worry the directives won’t be updated to reflect medical advances.” Some people even “question whether people with serious psychiatric conditions are ever capable of lucidly completing such directives.”
Related Links:
— “Now Mental Health Patients Can Specify Their Care Before Hallucinations and Voices Overwhelm Them, ” Pam Belluck, The New York Times, December 03, 2018.