In the past, why have doctors had difficulty following Advance Directives?
Many living wills ask doctors not to perform “heroic measures” or “use artificial means of treatment.” These and other vague statements, such as “terminal condition” or “if death is expected”, have no clear meaning. Some documents ask doctors to certify that there is no hope for improvement. These terms and phrases prompt doctors to do more medical procedures, not less. The Project GRACE Advance Care Plan attempts to avoid misinterpretation by use of specific conditions and treatments. Withholding ineffective medical technology and allowing a natural death is a slowly evolving concept in American medical care and is contrary to the way many doctors have trained and practiced for many years. It is often possible to give “palliative”, or comfort care, at the same time as continuing treatments that are intended to cure illness. A change from ineffective “curative” care efforts to comfort or “palliative” care is sometimes best for you. Recognition that you are unavoidably nearing death and
