Health decisions: maintaining control of health care choices

Advanced technology sometimes prolongs life without improving the quality of life. California's Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC) provides individuals with a tool to maintain control over their future health care should they become unable to make health care decisions. California Health Decisions (CHD) developed a comprehensive workshop designed to inform people about the DPAHC and its options and has played a leadership role in educating health care professionals, the general public, seniors, and employee groups. CHD has set a goal of helping 1 million Californians complete a DPAHC by 1995. This article describes the issues involved in implementing the educational goals to achieve this objective.