Abstract

Advance directives are legal documents that allow individuals to outline their preferences for medical care in the event they become incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. In modern healthcare, advance directives play a critical role in ensuring that patients' values, preferences, and autonomy are respected, particularly in situations where life-sustaining treatments or end-of-life decisions are required. These directives can include living wills, which specify treatment preferences, and durable power of attorney for healthcare, which designates a surrogate decision-maker. As medical technologies advance and life expectancy increases, the need for clear communication about end-of-life care has become even more essential. Advance directives help mitigate ethical dilemmas, reduce the burden on family members, and guide healthcare providers in making decisions aligned with the patient's desires. Despite their importance, however, challenges persist in ensuring their widespread use and integration into clinical practice, including issues related to patient awareness, cultural attitudes, and legal variability across jurisdictions. This paper explores the significance of advance directives in modern healthcare, their impact on patient care and decision-making, and the barriers to their effective implementation. The evolving role of these documents in patient-centered care and their potential to enhance healthcare outcomes in the context of an aging population and increasing complexity of medical treatments will also be discussed.