Illness progression, advance directives, support person: how and when to communicate with the patient?

Illness progression, advance directives, support person: how and when to communicate with the patient? The role of the referring physician and his implication are pivotal for the rise of new medical settings, such as advance directives and the designation of a support person. In his daily professional practice, the family doctor already has the relationship tools to ask the patients those questions. The patients are actually waiting for the physician's initiative on those topics.It can be quite benficial to use the already existing helpful tools. The doctor must trust himself and find the right moment to converse with the patient and welcome his words. The practicioner shall preserve the self-determination of the patient through the expresion of his wishes, but also support discussion and the building of a care and support project, which includes limits.