Get Informed:
Talk About End-of-life Care
How do I talk to my doctor?
Don't assume that your doctor will be the one to start the conversation with you about end-of-life care options. Talk to your health care providers about these issues before a crisis comes:
- If you have completed or updated an advance directive, let your doctor know and have him or her put a copy in your medical record. Make sure it includes current contact information for your health care surrogate.
- Before you complete your directives, ask your doctor for a thorough explanation of any treatments and procedures that you don't fully understand.
- Ask if he or she will honor the wishes you've specified in your advance directive, since doctors are not required by law to follow advance directives if they don't agree with them due to moral or ethical reasons.
- Make sure your doctor understands the quality of life that's important to you.
- Ask if your doctor is willing to talk openly with you and your loved ones about your illness.
- Ask if he or she will support you in getting hospice care as soon as it is relevant.
- Ask what kind of decisions you'll be expected to make and what kind of assistance he or she can offer to help you make these decisions.
- Ask your doctor if he or she would let you know if a treatment is no longer effective so that you and your loved ones could make the most informed decisions.
Review these issues and your choices as your personal health and circumstances change.
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