McInerney D J
Leonard, Street and Deinard, P.A., Minneapolis.
Minn Med. 1992 Aug;75(8):27-9.
The Patient Self-Determination Act requires most health care institutions to inform patients of their right to refuse medical care and their right to provide advance direction regarding their wishes should they become incompetent. Although the PSDA does not apply to physicians, it will probably increase the demand for communication with patients on such matters. Patients will undoubtedly ask how to formulate advance directives. While physicians should make it clear that they are not providing legal advice to patients on such issues, they may wish to indicate that a guardianship and a living will are options available under Minnesota law. Additionally, as indicated above, a number of arguments exist that durable powers of attorney for health care are valid in Minnesota, as well. Physicians should familiarize themselves with living will forms and may wish to make them available to patients upon request. (Living will forms can be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Medical Association at 612/378-1875.) Patients with questions regarding durable powers of attorney should be advised to seek legal counsel.
《患者自主决定法案》要求大多数医疗保健机构告知患者他们有权拒绝医疗护理，以及在他们丧失行为能力时就自身意愿提供预先指示的权利。尽管该法案不适用于医生，但它可能会增加在这类问题上与患者沟通的需求。患者无疑会询问如何制定预先指示。虽然医生应明确表示他们在此类问题上并非向患者提供法律建议，但他们不妨指出监护和生前遗嘱是明尼苏达州法律规定的可用选项。此外，如上所述，有一些观点认为医疗保健的持久授权书在明尼苏达州也是有效的。医生应熟悉生前遗嘱表格，并可根据患者要求提供给他们。（可通过拨打612/378 - 1875联系明尼苏达医学协会获取生前遗嘱表格。）有关于医疗保健持久授权书问题的患者应被建议寻求法律顾问的帮助。
