Advance directives and the refusal of treatment

Life-sustaining devices are used to keep people alive who have no hope of recovery. The right to refuse treatment is often impossible to exercise unless exercised at an earlier stage. This has led to the development of advance directives as a way to clarify ethical and legal uncertainty. Types of such directives are examined, especially the "living will", as well as current issues relating to specific treatment instructions, nursing homes and professional roles. Future issues such as enforcement, economic incentives and qualifying conditions are touched upon.