Advanced Directives: comparing experiences

Many of us find it difficult to think about the end of our own life or to imagine ourselves in a situation of serious illness or deterioration, much less to define our preferences and wishes under those circumstances. Nevertheless, doing so can make these decisions much easier under these difficult circumstances when we can no longer speak for ourselves.

In these cases, the advance directive, or living will, is an essential tool for recording the healthcare instructions we wish to be respected in the event that we lose our autonomy. Advance Directives or Documento de Voluntades Anticipadas (DVA) in Spanish, have been established in Spain for 25 years. Recently, there has been a marked increase in the number of citizens choosing to complete one, with the country offering more options in how to formalise such instructions.

Nevertheless, their implementation, use and effects remain inconsistent. Their development varies widely, and internationally, there is significant diversity. Furthermore, clinical practice has revealed some of their limitations and the need to revisit existing models and content, as well as to develop further recommendations for improvement in light of social change.

All of this will be covered in this webinar!

Panel discussion with:
•    Belén Jiménez, professor and researcher at the Open University of Catalonia. 
•    Carla Saenz, regional bioethics consultant for the Pan American Health Organization
•    Núria Terribas, director, Víctor Grífols i Lucas Foundation

26 May at 6pm, via Teams