A recent poll indicates that advance directives sound like a good idea to a clear majority of the public. Yet most people have not prepared advance directives. That is a glaring failure of the health care system that must be addressed. The AMA is doing something about this problem, in partnership with the American Assn. of Retired Persons and the American Bar Assn. The three groups have jointly produced a 18-page kit that explains advance directives and provides the necessary forms.
Every state allows some type of advance directives.
The legal forms in the kit comply with the laws of most states and would be compelling evidence of a patient's wishes even in states that have special requirements. Copying the forms for noncommercial purposes is permitted. Physicians, especially those in primary care, have a special role to play in encouraging the use of advance directives. All patients should be encouraged to prepare them, not just the elderly. Doctors should also make sure to look for advance directives in their patients' charts.